Molecular diagnostic testing (eg, polymerase chain reaction [PCR]-based vaginitis testing) is widely used in clinical practice, although vaginitis experts have reservations about its use for vaginitis diagnosis. As with any new technology, cost to the health system is a large concern. Although clinical evaluation of signs and symptoms along with wet mount microscopy is traditionally used for vaginitis diagnosis, it is less accurate compared with molecular diagnostic testing. Here we review the benefits of adopting newer molecular diagnostics into routine gynecologic practice with some guidance from vaginitis experts that favor both traditional and more modern approaches. We argue that instead of trying to resist the oncoming tide of molecular diagnostics, we can embrace them and put them to appropriate use to effect rapid, accurate, and more flexible diagnosis of vaginitis conditions for our patients.

中文翻译：

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诊断阴道感染的新方法和传统方法的比较。

分子诊断检测（例如基于聚合酶链反应[PCR]的阴道炎检测）在临床实践中广泛应用，尽管阴道炎专家对其用于阴道炎诊断持保留态度。与任何新技术一样，卫生系统的成本是一个大问题。尽管体征和症状的临床评估以及湿涂片显微镜传统上用于阴道炎诊断，但与分子诊断测试相比，其准确性较低。在这里，我们回顾了在常规妇科实践中采用更新的分子诊断的好处，并接受了阴道炎专家的一些指导，这些专家支持传统和更现代的方法。我们认为，与其试图抵制即将到来的分子诊断浪潮，不如拥抱分子诊断并适当利用它们，为患者实现快速、准确和更灵活的阴道炎诊断。