Cytologic findings in pap smears with Actinomyces-like organisms.
OBJECTIVE
To detect whether there is a relationship between the presence ofActinomyces-like organisms (ALOs) and cytologic findings.


METHODS
Papanicolaou-stained smears from 2290 women were examined cytologically. Nineteen (0.83%) of the 2290 were diagnosed with ALOs and became the study group. Patients without infectious agents (n=1792) were the control group. Statistical analyses were conducted with the chi2 test using the SPSS program (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.).


RESULTS
The study and control groups were compared statistically. There was a significant correlation between the presence of ALOs and other cytologic findings, such as Trichomonas vaginalis, cocci, pseudoeosinophilia, endocervical cells, superficial cells, lactobacilli and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (p < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between the presence of ALOs and metaplastic cells, parabasal cells or nuclear changes (p > 0. 05).


CONCLUSIONS
ALOs in cervicovaginal smears might provide a milieu for growing some infectious agents, such as Trichomonas vaginalis and cocci. Lactobacilli were less plentiful in these cases. Vaginal discharge and abdominal pain were also important clinicalfindings for the detection ofALOs. Another finding was long-term usage of intrauterine contraceptive devices, which can cause the overgrowth of ALOs in vaginal mucosa.
Demirezen
Sayeste
S
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe Uni-Ankara, Turkey versity, Ankara, Turkey. sayeste@hacettepe.edu.tr
Kaya
Dilek
D
Beksaç
Sinan
S
D000190:Actinomyces / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D014626:Vaginal Smears