title: The cytologist and bacterioses of the vaginal-ectocervical area. Clues, commas and confusion.
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%), an 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.
authors: Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
authors: V J
authors: VJ
authors: Schnadig
authors: K D
authors: KD
authors: Davie
authors: S K
authors: SK
authors: Shafer
authors: R B
authors: RB
authors: Yandell
authors: M Z
authors: MZ
authors: Islam
authors: E V
authors: EV
authors: Hannigan
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006194:Gardnerella vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology