Test characteristics of symptoms, signs, and laboratory tests for diagnosing vaginal candidiasis (VC), bacterial vaginosis (BV), and vaginal trichomoniasis (VT)*
| Tests | Diagnosis | Sensitivity | Specificity | +LR | –LR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Diagnostic terms defined in glossary. | |||||
| Individual symptoms | |||||
| Cheesy discharge | VC | 65% | 73% | 2.4 | 0.48 |
| Odour | BV | 97% | 40% | 1.6 | 0.07 |
| Itching | VC | 27% | 92% | 3.3 | 0.79 |
| Redness | VC | 28% | 86% | 2.0 | 0.84 |
| External dysuria | VC | 33% | 85% | 2.2 | 0.79 |
| Previous yeast infection | VC | 35% | 90% | 3.3 | 0.72 |
| Physical examination signs | |||||
| White, curdy discharge | VC | 16% | 97% | 6.1 | 0.86 |
| Yellow discharge | BV | 60% | 85% | 4.1 | 0.46 |
| Yellow discharge | VT | 89% | 93% | 14 | 0.12 |
| Moderate discharge | BV | 62% | 75% | 2.5 | 0.5 |
| Profuse discharge | BV | 4% | 99% | 3.0 | 0.98 |
| High cheese odour | BV | 78% | 75% | 3.2 | 0.30 |
| Redness or oedema | VT | 18% | 97% | 6.4 | 0.85 |
| Any inflammation | VC | 46% | 78% | 2.1 | 0.69 |
| Laboratory | |||||
| Normal pH level (<4.9) | VC | 71% | 90% | 7.2 | 0.32 |
| Gram stain | VC | 65% | 100% | 31 | 0.36 |
| Bacilli with corkscrew motility | BV | 65% | 100% | 44 | 0.36 |
| Positive whiff test | VT | 67% | 65% | 1.9 | 0.51 |
| Wet mount | VT | 67% | 100% | 100 | 0.34 |