Vaginitis Pathogen Detection

Vaginitis is an infection or inflammation of the vaginal tissue. To help you determine the cause of your patient’s vaginitis, the lab experts at MD Molecular Diagnostics in Dallas Texas provide advanced molecular testing to find or rule out the pathogen responsible for their symptoms. The lab testing for vaginitis includes sexually transmitted infection (STI) pathogen detection. Call to learn more.

What is vaginitis?

Vaginitis refers to any condition that causes inflammation or an infection in the vagina. This condition may occur from a wide range of causes, including various types of pathogens. However, symptoms of vaginitis make it hard to determine the underlying cause of the gynecological condition. 

MD Molecular Diagnostics is a state-of-the-art molecular laboratory that uses advanced diagnostic tools to accurately identify the pathogen causing your patient’s vaginitis.

What causes vaginitis?

Vaginitis may occur from many causes, including an allergic reaction, an infection, or hormonal changes. Some of the common causes of vaginitis include:

Yeast infections

Yeast infections cause vaginitis from an overgrowth of candida, a yeast normally present in the vagina.

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is a common cause of vaginitis that occurs from an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. 

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Vaginitis may also occur from a bacterial, viral, or parasitic STD. Trichomoniasis, chlamydia, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) are the most common pathogens that cause STD-related vaginitis. 

Noninfectious vaginitis

Vaginitis from an allergic reaction is a noninfectious vaginitis. 

Atrophic vaginitis

Atrophic vaginitis is inflammation of the vaginal tissue from a change in hormone balance. This is common in women during menopause. 

Vaginitis may cause various symptoms, such as vaginal discharge, changes in vaginal odor, discomfort when urinating, or pain during intercourse.

What happens during a lab test for vaginitis?

MD Molecular Diagnostics uses reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for vaginitis. This includes sexually transmitted infection (STI) pathogen detection testing to look for the STDs commonly linked to vaginitis.

For molecular testing, clinicians use a special swab to collect cells from the vagina. With RT-PCR testing, the lab uses genetic identifiers to determine the pathogen causing the vaginitis. With conventional testing, labs use a culture technique that can only test for certain pathogens, leading to an inaccurate diagnosis.

MD Molecular Diagnostics’ vaginitis and STI pathogen detection testing is 98-100% accurate, 3-5 times more sensitive, and 2-3 times faster than traditional culture testing.

MD Molecular Diagnostics provides results from vaginitis testing within 24-48 hours.

Call the experts at MD Molecular Diagnostics today to find out more about vaginitis testing.