Methods for quantitative vaginal flora studies

Quantitative bacteriology of the vaginal flora was performed with two techniques: one was a quantitative loop of vaginal secretions and the second was duplicate swabs of the vaginal fornix with one swab for bacteriologic studies and the second to determine specimen weight. Both sampling methods were evaluated for accuracy in weight or volume measurements. Comparison of the two methods in eight volunteers showed reasonably good correlation although the duplicate swab technique gave somewhat higher mean counts and more bacterial species. Advantages and limitations of these methods for quantitative vaginal flora studies are discussed.