Other STIs and Genital Conditions

Bacterial vaginosis: Gram stain

This is a gram stain of vaginal fluid from a patient with bacterial vaginosis. Note the clue cell - an epithelial cell whose surface is covered with bacteria, obscuring the cell margins. Clue cells are typical of BV, aiding diagnosis.

b - bacteroides
c - mobiluncus
g - gardnerella
p - peptostreptococci

Source: Pharmacia Upjohn