Table 1.

Comparison of diagnostic methods for BV

BV Test	Sensitivity Vs. Nugent's	Specificity Vs. Nugent's	References
Amsel’s (Any 3 of 4)	69–78	58–94	[13,16,23]
Modified Amsel’s:
pH>4.5 + >20% clue + positive whiff	55	98	[13]
pH>4.5	77–89	70–74	[1,13 23]
>20% clue	60–74	86–94	[13,23]
Positive whiff	67	93	[23]
pH + amine	64	95	[23]
Sialidase (BVBlue)	88–92	95–98	[24,25]
pH or Amines (FemExam®1)	89	61	[23]

When Nugent is compared to Amsel’s as the gold standard, Nugent is 80–89% sensitive and 83–91% specific [13,14].

¹the FemExam® card returned a positive result if either elevated pH or amines were detected, but is no longer commercially available.