Bartholinitis diagnostic tests

The Bartholin's glands are located at the lower part of the labia majora, one on each side, and the gland ducts open on the inner side of the lower part of the labia minora on both sides of the vaginal opening. Due to the characteristics of this anatomical part, when the vulva is contaminated during sexual intercourse, childbirth, and other situations, pathogens can easily invade the glands and form Bartholin's gland inflammation. So, what are the diagnostic tests for Bartholin's gland inflammation?

1. Magnetic resonance imaging

The accuracy is high, and the price difference fee is also relatively high.

2. Laboratory diagnosis:

1. Secretion smear and bacterial culture examination: Generally, secretions are taken from the opening of the Bartholin's glands, the urethral orifice, and the paraurethral glands for smear examination to determine the pathogenic bacteria; or bacterial culture and drug sensitivity test can be performed directly.

2. Routine blood test: The total white blood cell count may increase significantly.

3. Special inspection items

1. Microscopic examination of secretions or puncture fluid

(1) Specimen collection: In patients with Bartholinitis, secretions are usually collected from the Bartholin gland opening, urethral orifice, and paraurethral glands. In patients with Bartholin gland abscess or cyst, puncture fluid can be extracted aseptically.

(2) Examination method: Smear the secretions or puncture fluid, and after Gram staining, check for the presence of bacteria under an oil microscope and observe the morphology and staining characteristics of the bacteria.

(3) Clinical diagnostic significance and evaluation:

1) Pus is drawn out from an abscess, while mucus is drawn out from a cyst.

2) After Gram staining of the secretions or pus smear of Bartholin's glanditis, bacteria can usually be found under a microscope, and a preliminary diagnosis of the pathogen can be made based on the bacterial morphology and Gram staining characteristics.

2. Bacterial culture of secretions or puncture fluid

(1) Inspection method:

1) Isolation and culture of common bacteria: Aseptically collect the secretions of Bartholin's gland inflammation or the puncture fluid of Bartholin's gland abscess or cyst, inoculate them on blood agar plates in zones and streak them, place them in an incubator at 35"C for 18-24 hours, and observe the growth of bacteria. If there is only one bacterium, conduct identification test directly. If there are two or more bacteria, separate and purify them, and then conduct systematic biochemical identification to determine the species.

2) Isolation and culture of gonococci: Aseptically collect the secretions of Bartholin's gland inflammation or the puncture fluid of Bartholin's gland abscess or cyst and inoculate it on a gonococcal plate (TM culture medium), place it in an incubator at 35°C with 5% CO2 for 24 to 72 hours, and observe the growth of bacteria. If bacteria grow, determine the species through smear staining microscopy, oxidase test and other biochemical identification.

3) Pathogen drug sensitivity test: Use paper diffusion method or dilution method for detection, judge the results according to CLSI standards, and report the results to the clinic as S, I, and R. Those using the dilution method will also report the MIC value.

(2) Clinical diagnostic significance and evaluation:

1) Pathogens such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae can usually be isolated and cultured from specimens of Bartholinitis and Bartholin's abscess.

2) The results of pathogen susceptibility testing can guide the clinical selection of antimicrobial drugs.

The above is an introduction to the diagnostic tests for Bartholinitis. I hope it will be helpful to you.