Objectives: To determine the aetiologies of vaginal discharge syndromes, to calculate the performance of different management algorithms, and validate these algorithms in STD clinics in China. These algorithms were adopted from those proposed by the World Health Organization. Methods: A total of 315 consecutive patients with vaginal discharge were enrolled at three STD clinics. Cervical infection was defined as presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae on culture and/or Chlamydia trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction.Other laboratory tests included wet mount microscopy and pH testing of vaginal fluid. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of different algorithms were determined using standard methods. Results: Cervical infection was identified in 37.8% of patients (20.6% gonorrhea, 12.7% chlamydial infection, 4.4%gonorrhea in combination with chlamydial infection). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of algorithms A and B for the identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and/or Chlamydia trachomatis were respectively 71.4% and90.8%, 65.3% and 46.9%, 55.6% and 50.9%. Conclusions: The vaginal discharge algorithms could be applied for clinical management. Their sensitivities are acceptable. However, there is a need to further improve their specificity and positive predictive value. The two algorithms could be used in clinical settings with different facilities. These algorithms should also be validated in populations with lower disease prevalence.
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