Abstract
To evaluate the role of the cytologist in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, the predominant bacterial patterns seen in 157 Papanicolaou-stained cervical smears were assessed and classified as large bacillus, anaerobic or scanty. A large bacillus pattern was found in 73 smears (46%), and anaerobic pattern in 77 (49%) and scanty bacteria in 7 (5%). Comma-shaped (curved) bacilli were found in 34 smears. The prevalence of clue cells in smears with anaerobic patterns was 73%. Gardnerella vaginalis was cultured from 89% of the cases with anaerobic-type smears containing clue cells and from 88% of those with anaerobic-type smears lacking clue cells. Mobiluncus sp. was cultured from 83% of the cases with anaerobic-type smears showing curved bacilli and 14% of those with anaerobic-type smears lacking curved bacilli. Papanicolaou-stained smears were found to be more sensitive and more specific for identifying clue cells than were wet preparations. A positive association was found between a positive KOH 'whiff' test and the presence of curved bacilli on the Papanicolaou-stained smear. The clinical significance of these findings is discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 287-297 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Acta Cytologica |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - 1989 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cell Biology
- Anatomy
- Histology
Cite this
The cytologist and bacterioses of the vaginal-ectocervical area. Clues, commas and confusion. / Schnadig, V. J.; Davie, K. D.; Shafer, S. K.; Yandell, R. B.; Islam, M. Z.; Hannigan, E. V.
In: Acta Cytologica, Vol. 33, No. 3, 1989, p. 287-297.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The cytologist and bacterioses of the vaginal-ectocervical area. Clues, commas and confusion
AU - Schnadig, V. J.
AU - Davie, K. D.
AU - Shafer, S. K.
AU - Yandell, R. B.
AU - Islam, M. Z.
AU - Hannigan, E. V.
PY - 1989
Y1 - 1989
N2 - To evaluate the role of the cytologist in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, the predominant bacterial patterns seen in 157 Papanicolaou-stained cervical smears were assessed and classified as large bacillus, anaerobic or scanty. A large bacillus pattern was found in 73 smears (46%), and anaerobic pattern in 77 (49%) and scanty bacteria in 7 (5%). Comma-shaped (curved) bacilli were found in 34 smears. The prevalence of clue cells in smears with anaerobic patterns was 73%. Gardnerella vaginalis was cultured from 89% of the cases with anaerobic-type smears containing clue cells and from 88% of those with anaerobic-type smears lacking clue cells. Mobiluncus sp. was cultured from 83% of the cases with anaerobic-type smears showing curved bacilli and 14% of those with anaerobic-type smears lacking curved bacilli. Papanicolaou-stained smears were found to be more sensitive and more specific for identifying clue cells than were wet preparations. A positive association was found between a positive KOH 'whiff' test and the presence of curved bacilli on the Papanicolaou-stained smear. The clinical significance of these findings is discussed.
AB - To evaluate the role of the cytologist in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, the predominant bacterial patterns seen in 157 Papanicolaou-stained cervical smears were assessed and classified as large bacillus, anaerobic or scanty. A large bacillus pattern was found in 73 smears (46%), and anaerobic pattern in 77 (49%) and scanty bacteria in 7 (5%). Comma-shaped (curved) bacilli were found in 34 smears. The prevalence of clue cells in smears with anaerobic patterns was 73%. Gardnerella vaginalis was cultured from 89% of the cases with anaerobic-type smears containing clue cells and from 88% of those with anaerobic-type smears lacking clue cells. Mobiluncus sp. was cultured from 83% of the cases with anaerobic-type smears showing curved bacilli and 14% of those with anaerobic-type smears lacking curved bacilli. Papanicolaou-stained smears were found to be more sensitive and more specific for identifying clue cells than were wet preparations. A positive association was found between a positive KOH 'whiff' test and the presence of curved bacilli on the Papanicolaou-stained smear. The clinical significance of these findings is discussed.
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M3 - Article
VL - 33
SP - 287
EP - 297
JO - Acta Cytologica
JF - Acta Cytologica
SN - 0001-5547
IS - 3
ER -