In patients who are diagnosed with NG or CT, the presence of TV or clue cells on wet prep is an unreliable marker for diagnosis. However, having moderate or many white cells present on wet prep does increase the probability of concurrent NG or CT infection and may be used in cases where the clinical suspicion is equivocal.
What are clue cells and what do they look like?
Clue cells are distinctive in appearance, as they are covered in bacteria and what’s known as a bacterial biofilm. These biofilms are produced by a number of bacteria and yeasts, including healthy bacteria, but clue cells are specific to bacterial vaginosis.
What does rare clue cells in wet prep mean?
Clue cells, wet prep came back as "rare". the standard range is "none seen". what could this mean? Probably normal: "Rare" probably is normal; if the lab tech doing the microscopy is careful and detailed, she may see a few clue cells in vaginal fluid from entirely h...
How do you identify clue cells in wet mounts?
Evaluating Wet Mounts 2. To determine if any of the epithelial cells are clue cells, it is important to study ONLY THE BORDERS OF THE CELL. A cell is a clue cell if the borders of the cell are completely obscured with bacteria and have edges that look “grainy” or “fuzzy”.
What is a clue cell in bacterial vaginosis?
We take a quick look at the clue cell, which is a key part of bacterial vaginosis diagnosis. A clue cell is a type of cell found in the vagina, an epithelial cell, that when examined under a microscope is found to have a cluster of bacteria attached to it.
What does it mean if you have clue cells?
Clue cells are certain cells in the vagina (vaginal epithelial cells) that appear fuzzy without sharp edges under a microscope. Clue cells change to this fuzzy look when they are coated with bacteria. If clue cells are seen, it means bacterial vaginosis is present.
Is clue cells an STD?
Is Gardnerella vaginalis an STD? No. Gardnerella isn't an STD or STI. But it's a bacteria that's most likely transmitted sexually.
What bacteria causes clue cells?
Clue cells are vaginal squamous epithelial cells coated with the anaerobic gram-variable coccobacilli Gardnerella vaginalis and other anaerobic bacteria causing bacterial vaginosis.
What infection has clue cells?
Clue cells are epithelial cells covered by adherent gram-negative rods, observed in vaginal smears from women with bacterial vaginosis.
How do you get rid of clue cells?
TreatmentMetronidazole (Flagyl, Metrogel-Vaginal, others). This medicine may be taken as a pill by mouth (orally). ... Clindamycin (Cleocin, Clindesse, others). This medicine is available as a cream that you insert into your vagina. ... Tinidazole (Tindamax). This medication is taken orally. ... Secnidazole (Solosec).
Is it normal to have some clue cells?
If the normal bacteria (lactobacilli) are not there but many “clue” cells (cells from the vaginal lining that are coated with bacteria) are present, then you likely have bacterial vaginosis. Your health care provider will check to see if you have at least 3 out of 4 of the following symptoms: Thin white discharge.
Do clue cells always mean BV?
A sample of vaginal discharge is checked for bacteria, white blood cells, and unusual cells called clue cells. If clue cells are found, it means you may have bacterial vaginosis. Whiff test. A sample of discharge is checked to see if a strong fishy odor is created when a special solution is added.
Is bacterial vaginosis a STD?
BV isn't considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD). But the chances of getting it seem to go up with the number of sexual partners a woman has.
What can cause clue cells?
They are a medical sign of bacterial vaginosis, particularly that caused by Gardnerella vaginalis, a group of Gram-variable bacteria. This bacterial infection is characterized by a foul, fishy smelling, thin gray vaginal discharge, and an increase in vaginal pH from around 4.5 to over 5.5.
How is bacterial vaginosis transmitted?
BV is now thought to be a sexually transmitted infection, although most recurrences are not sexually related. BV can be transmitted by sex toys, oral-genital contact, and fingers. To reduce the risk of transmission, sex toys should be used with condoms, when possible, and cleaned after every use.
Can men get bacterial vaginosis?
Men can't get BV. However, men can carry BV-related bacteria on their penis. If you're male and have symptoms similar to BV, it could be due to another condition, including an STI.
How do you interpret wet prep results?
Abnormal: A white, lumpy discharge that looks like cottage cheese may mean a vaginal yeast infection is present. A yellow-green, foamy discharge that has a bad odor may mean trichomoniasis is present. A thin, gray-white vaginal discharge with a strong fishy odor may mean bacterial vaginosis is present.
Are clue cells present in gonorrhea?
Clue cells can be identified accurately. Gram stain of the endocervical mucous may be helpful in the evaluation of cervicitis. If gram-negative diplococci are seen inside cells, this is diagnostic for Neisseria gonorrhea. This is a relatively insensitive test, however, and should not substitute for a culture.
Is bacterial vaginosis an STD?
BV isn't considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD). But the chances of getting it seem to go up with the number of sexual partners a woman has.
What can cause clue cells?
They are a medical sign of bacterial vaginosis, particularly that caused by Gardnerella vaginalis, a group of Gram-variable bacteria. This bacterial infection is characterized by a foul, fishy smelling, thin gray vaginal discharge, and an increase in vaginal pH from around 4.5 to over 5.5.
Are clue cells present in trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis can interfere with a Gram stain diagnosis or the proline aminopeptidase test for bacterial vaginosis. Clue cells are not generally found in women with Trichomonas vaginalis, but when present, they strongly indicate the concomitant presence of bacterial vaginosis.
Clue cells, wet prep came back as "rare". the standard range is "none seen". what could this mean?
Probably normal: "Rare" probably is normal; if the lab tech doing the microscopy is careful and detailed, she may see a few clue cells in vaginal fluid from entirely h... Read More
Can a papsmear reading of unspecific moderate inflammation and clue cells present be cured?cervicitis be cured?
Yes: Generally this can be treated and resolved, but that also depends upon the cause and the specific therapy employed. Good luck and best wishes for a s... Read More
Can ureaplasma cause bv and does it show clue cells like bv under microscope dr said they don't treat so just treated bv scared ill get it back?
Potentially: Ureaplasma has been associated with resistant BV infections but usually is not treated per se. This is one organism that is looked for when working up... Read More
Polymorfic flora with preponderance cocobacillus gram negativ with suggestive appearance of bacterial vaginosis ("clue cells").what it means?thank you
Abnormal flora: It sounds like your vaginal bacterial balance is out of whack. You may need some antibiotics, and i would follow that up with a vaginal probiotic to h... Read More
Hi dr, what does these means from lab report: no yeast cells, trichomonas vaginalis or gram negative intracellular diplococci or clue cells seen
Details matter: It means a lab technician looked at a sample (likely from a vagina) and did not see yeast cells (many yeast cells would mean vaginal thrush), did not ... Read More
Treated 4 bv,yinfec,trich,chlaym,gonnarea, cervicitis, when doc saw clue cells & leucocytes in vag.been almost 2 months still haven't gone away?? : (
Here are some ...: Your care has covered almost all imaginable non-STD/STD-related vaginitis. AT this moment, it would be most logical and beneficial to direct this ques... Read More
Why is the term "clue cell" used?
The etymology behind the term "clue" cell derives from the original research article from Gardner and Dukes describing the characteristic cells. The name was chosen for its brevity in describing the sine qua non of bacterial vaginosis. They are a medical sign of bacterial vaginosis, particularly that caused by Gardnerella vaginalis, ...
What is the clue cell in a vagina?
Clue cells are epithelial cells of the vagina that get their distinctive stippled appearance by being covered with bacteria.
What does the edge of a clue cell look like?
The edges are no longer visible and the cell looks like sand paper (bottom left). The upper 2 epithelial cells are beginning to be attacked by the mixture of bacteria and you can see the edges beginning to ruffle like a fried egg. Gardnerella vaginalis or Mobiluncus commonly cause the formation of clue cells.
What is a wet prep?
THE WET PREP: A vaginal wet prep (wet mount or vaginal smear) is a gynecologic test performed as a STAT (within an hour) on a sample of vaginal discharge used to find the cause of vaginosis, vaginitis and vulvitis. Vaginitis symptoms include itching, burning, discomfort, vaginal discharge, odor and/or rash. It assists in the identification of and ...
What is the purpose of adding KOH to a slide?
You may add a drop of KOH (potassium hydroxide) and replace the cover slip to look for fungal elements such as pseudohyphae after looking for the other components on the slide, as the KOH will break down other debris, such as bacteria and cells, leaving only fungal elements if there .
What percentage of the epithelial cells are clue cells?
You are looking for a mixture of short rods, curved rods, and cocci on the epithelial cells, which cover about 75%-100% of the cell in order for it to be named a "clue cell". When reporting clue cells and bacterial vaginosis, at least 20% of all epithelial cells seen on the slide should be clue cells.
Is G. vaginalis a glucose or sucrose?
On agar, G. vaginalis appears as small, gray, opaque colonies that are non-hemolytic or slightly green the agar. It is glucose and maltose +, sucrose variable, and typically hydrolyzes hippurate. The drug of choice to treat this organism is metronidazole and it is also susceptible to ampicillin.
Is C. albicans a pseudohyphae?
Here is another image of C. albicans in a wet mount exhibiting budding but no pseudohyphae. This yeast is one of the causative agents of vaginitis in women, and patients who are on antibiotics, have diabetes mellitus, who are immunocompromised or immunosuppressed are more at risk for overgrowth of this organism.
Is Gardnerella a Gram-negative bacteria?
Gardnerella vaginalis consists of a mixture of Gram- variable bacteria, such as Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative coccobacilli, and Gram-negative rods covering the cell. Mobiluncus are curved Gram-negative rods. They may be found along with Gardnerella vaginalis in bacterial vaginosis.
What Is a Vaginal Wet Mount?
A vaginal wet mount, also called a wet prep or vaginal smear, is a test done to find the cause of vaginitis, an inflammation of the vagina. Your doctor will usually order the test if you’re having symptoms like itching, a discharge, or pain.
Why do doctors do wet mounts?
There are different causes of vaginitis. Your doctor might do a wet mount to help confirm or rule out some different causes of the inflammation, including:
What is the purpose of a KOH slide?
The slide may be sent to a lab to check for white blood cells, yeast, bacteria, parasites, or other signs of infection. A whiff test, or KOH test, may be done on the vaginal sample during the wet mount test. A few drops of potassium hydroxide (KOH) are mixed with the sample.
How to get cells out of vagina?
Your nurse or doctor will use a thin cotton swab to collect cells from the vaginal wall. They’ll smear the cells on a small microscope slide and mix them with a saline solution. They’ll view the slide under a microscope.
Can you have sex before a wet mount?
For the most accurate vaginal wet mount test results: Don’t have sex before the test . Don’t, douche or use tampons before the test. Don’t have a vaginal wet mount during your period. If you’re having your period, wait until it’s over to have a vaginal wet mount. Blood can make it hard to get clean test results.
