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Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is generally considered a noninflammatory condition. Thus, in evaluating patients with BV, large numbers of white blood cells (WBCs) on microscopy might signify other vaginal infections. To examine associations between WBC counts and additional diagnoses of cervical and vaginal infections, these investigators retrospectively examined the records of 296 women (median age, 24; 81% were black) in whom BV was diagnosed by a single, experienced clinician at a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic over a 4-year period.
BV was diagnosed by Amsel's criteria (any 3 of the following: vaginal pH >4.5, clue cells visible on light microscopy, positive whiff test, and homogeneous vaginal discharge). To quantify WBCs in each …