Randomized Study of Usual Care Versus Xpert ® Xpress Multiplex Vaginal Panel at the Point-of-Care for Accurate Diagnosis and Appropriate Treatment of Vaginal Infections.
Sex Transm DisMay 12, 2026 (epub)
Sharon L Hillier, Ingrid Macio, Rachel Gallagher et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the Xpert® Xpress Multiplex Vaginal Panel for diagnosing vaginal infections in 276 women with symptoms. The study found that 89.6% of women in the point-of-care NAAT group received appropriate treatment compared to 51.9% in the usual care group (P < 0.001), highlighting the test's clinical utility.
Key findings
- 89.6% of women in the POC NAAT arm received appropriate treatment compared to 51.9% in the usual care arm (P < 0.001).
- 27.1% of women in the POC NAAT arm were inappropriately treated compared to 50.0% in the usual care arm (P = 0.031).
- The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis, Candida, and Trichomonas vaginalis was 44.7%, 32.0%, and 5.1%, respectively.
Why it matters
Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of vaginal infections are crucial for patient outcomes. This study demonstrates that point-of-care NAAT can significantly improve treatment accuracy and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.