Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis cervical infection: a comparison of Papanicolaou and immunofluorescent staining in smears obtained by Ayre's spatula and cytobrush
Maeda, M.Y.; Longatto Filho, A.; Santos, D.R.; Cavaliere, M.J.; Shih, L.W.; Oyafuso, M.S.; De Andrea Filho, A.
Pathologica 83(1083): 105-109
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-2983 PMID: 1714070 Document Number: 380585
Two methods of staining (Papanicolaou versus direct immunofluorescence) and two methods of collection of the samples (Ayre's wooden spatula versus cervical Cytobrush) were compared in order to verify the efficiency in detecting Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections in the female genital tract. Out of 166 asymptomatic patients, 59 were positive for CT by means of direct immunofluorescence: 36 were detected in Cytobrush samples, 16 in Ayre's spatula samples, and 7 in the samples collected by both methods. Papanicolaou smears showed "moth-eaten" features suggestive of CT infection in a great number of metaplastic cells present in 35 cases: 24 collected by Cytobrush, 4 by Ayre's spatula and 7 by both methods. Our data show that Cytobrush is more efficient that Ayre's spatula in concentrating cellular material. It is thus possible to detect CT infection with more accuracy by means of direct immunofluorescence, and to suspect CT infection in smears collected by means of Cytobrush and stained by Papanicolaou's method.