title: [Comparative evaluation of clinical, cytological and cell culture methods of candida vulvovaginitis diagnosis].
abstract: 98 patients with Candida vulvovaginitis (CVV) were examined clinically, cytologically and culturally. Three clinical forms of CVV were distinguished: acute and subacute (26 and 23 patients, respectively)--before treatment, and remission (49 patients)--after treatment. The clinical diagnosis of CVV before the treatment was confirmed cytologically and/or in cultures (87.7%), in remission cytologically (4%), by cultures (20 patients). Candida in the phase of budding and pseudomycelium were prevalent in acute CVV (84.4%). In a subacute form Candida occurred in 30.3%, while in the remaining cases blastospores were observed. Significant correlation between the intensity of Candida colonies growth and phase of development on the mucous membrane was not found. Compared to the cultural method, the cytological technique is more cost effective, faster and simpler.
authors.affiliation: St-Petersburg Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, 193015, St-Petersburg.
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Lipova
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Ermolova
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Kotov
mesh_terms: D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans