Rapid testing for vaginal yeast detection: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of rapid vaginal yeast detection assay compared with yeast cultures for the diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective study that involved 104 subjects, 34 asymptomatic women and 70 symptomatic women with vaginitis. Vaginal swabs were obtained from all subjects for wet mount, yeast culture, and the rapid yeast detection test. Overall, the prevalence rate was 39.4%, based on positive yeast cultures. The rapid yeast test performed by the physician was positive in 30 of 41 subjects with positive cultures and 13 of 63 subjects with negative cultures. RESULTS: The rapid yeast test had 73.1% sensitivity and 82.0% negative predictive value compared with the wet mount, which had 43.9% sensitivity and 70.9% negative predictive value. In symptomatic patients, the test had 77.4% sensitivity and 81% negative predictive value compared with wet mount, which had 51.6% sensitivity. Patient-performed test results were identical to the tests that were performed by the physicians. The cost of the rapid yeast test kit is estimated to be <$10, compared with a mean of $65 for the yeast culture. CONCLUSION: Rapid yeast detection assay is accurate and affordable compared with the gold standard yeast culture in the diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Relative to the wet mount, it is more sensitive, cheaper, and accurate for the rapid diagnosis of vaginal yeast infection.