Methods for selectively detecting microorganisms associated with vaginal infections in complex biological samples

A method for selectively detecting at least one Group I microorganism selected from the group consisting of gram positive bacteria and fungi, and at least one group II microorganism selected from the group consisting of protozoa, mycoplasmas and gram negative bacteria in a single sample, the method comprising:

• (a) lysing the cells of the Group I microorganism and the Group II microorganism by combining the sample with a lysis solution, thereby releasing nucleic acid from the microorganisms;
• (b) contacting the nucleic acid released from the microorganisms, under hybridizing conditions, with a first oligonucleotide capture probe that selectively hybridizes to the nucleic acid of the Group I microorganism, wherein said first oligonucleotide capture probe has a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:
• 13, 18-26 and 42-47 and a second oligonucleotide capture probe that selectively hybridizes to the nucleic acid of the Group II microorganism, wherein said second oligonucleotide capture probe has a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:
• 1-7, 27, 28, 30, 32-35 and 48-52 to form a Group I microorganism-capture probe hybridization complex, and a Group II microorganism-capture probe hybridization complex respectively;
• and
• (c) detecting the hybridization complexes as an indication of the presence of the Group I microorganism and the Group II microorganism in the sample.

A method for selectively detecting Gardenerella vaginalis and at least one Group B microorganism selected from the group consisting of Group B Streptococci, Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis in a single sample, the method comprising:

• (a) lysing the cells of Gardenerella vaginalis and the Group B microorganism by combining the sample with a lysis solution, thereby releasing nucleic acid from the microorganisms;
• (b) contacting the nucleic acid released from the microorganisms, under hybridizing conditions, with a first oligonucleotide capture probe that selectively hybridizes to the nucleic acid of Gardenerella vaginalis, wherein said first oligonucleotide capture probe has a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID NOS:
• 18-26 and a second oligonucleotide capture probe that selectively hybridizes to the nucleic acid of the Group B microorganism, wherein said second oligonucleotide capture probe has a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID NOS:
• 13 and 42-50 to form a Gardenerella vaginalis microorganism-capture probe hybridization complex and a Group B microorganism-capture probe hybridization complex, respectively;
• and
• (c) detecting the hybridization complexes as an indication of the presence of the Gardenerella vaginalis microorganism and the Group B microorganism in the sample.