title: Algae in cytologic smears.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To desmonstrate the presence of algae in smears and establish their significance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Microscopic examination of smears stained by the Papanicolaou technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found 12 different species of algae, clustered in three categories: Cyanophita (blue algae), Chrysophyta (yellow algae) and Chlorophyta (green algae).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Algae in smears are infrequently observed, with few bibliographic references. Their presence is due to intrinsic or extrinsic contamination. They may be confused with other structures, such as fungi, Charcott crystals or adenocarcinoma cells.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Piedras Blancas and Service of Anatomic Pathology II, Hospital Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martínez-Girón
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ribas-Barceló
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D001201:Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D003460:Crystallization; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D013183:Sputum / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016482:Urinalysis; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D014626:Vaginal Smears