Evaluation of bacterial vaginosis (BV) using nugent scoring system

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common form of vaginal infection with diverse etiology in women of reproductive age. It may lead to morbidity and obstetric/gynecological complications. This study was carried out to determine the usefulness of Nugent scoring system as a means of diagnosing bacterial vaginosis. Sixty seven (67) women between the ages of 16 and 45 years were enrolled in the study. Vaginal swabs were Gram stained and slides examined for Nugent scoring. BV was diagnosed in 13.4% of women and the highest prevalence found in the age group of 16-20 years. The relationships of a positive whiff test (P=0.0051), presence of clue cells (P=0.001) and a pH> 4.5 (P=0.0077) with bacterial vaginosis were shown to be statistically significant. Nugent scoring system appears to be a reliable and convenient method for laboratory evaluation of bacterial vaginosis.