Three of four criteria must be met; establishes accurate diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis in 90 percent of affected women.

• Homogeneous vaginal discharge (color and amount may vary)
• Amine (fishy) odor when potassium hydroxide solution is added to vaginal secretions (commonly called the "whiff test")
• Presence of clue cells (greater than 20%) on microscopy*
• Vaginal pH greater than 4.5

* Highly significant criterion.

 

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