Are yeasts in vaginal smears intracellular or extracellular?
Using light microscopic cytodiagnosis the only thing that can be said about the position of the yeast cells in relation to the epithelial cells is that the epithelial cells and the parasite are very close to one another. It is not possible to say whether both elements are only temporarily projected above one another or in direct contact. This question can only be answered unequivocally with the aid of the electron microscope. It is possible to verify that the yeast cells, despite their size, are able to invade intact epithelial cells and are capable of reproduction within these same cells.
D002176:Candida albicans / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014621:Vagina / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears