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. 2013:2013:184302.
doi: 10.1155/2013/184302. Epub 2013 Sep 24.

Inflammation on the cervical papanicolaou smear: evidence for infection in asymptomatic women?

Stavroula Baka  1 , Ioanna Tsirmpa, Anthia Chasiakou, Iliana Tsouma, Ekaterina Politi, Vassiliki Gennimata, Evangelia Kouskouni
Affiliations

Inflammation on the cervical papanicolaou smear: evidence for infection in asymptomatic women?

Stavroula Baka et al. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2013.

Abstract

Background: The significance of the possible presence of infection on the Pap smear of asymptomatic women based on cytological criteria is practically unknown.

Materials and methods: A total of 1117 asymptomatic nonpregnant women had Pap smear tests and vaginal as well as cervical cultures completed (622 with and 495 without inflammation on the Pap smear).

Results: Out of the 622 women with inflammation on Pap test, 251 (40.4%) had negative cultures (normal flora present), while 371 (59.6%) women had positive cultures with different pathogens. In contrast, the group of women without inflammation on Pap test displayed significantly increased percentage of negative cultures (67.1%, P < 0.001) and decreased percentage of positive cultures (32.9%, P < 0.001). Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed more frequently in both groups and significantly more in the group with inflammation on Pap smear compared to the group without inflammation (P < 0.02).

Conclusions: A report of inflammatory changes on the cervical Pap smear cannot be used to reliably predict the presence of a genital tract infection, especially in asymptomatic women. Nevertheless, the isolation of different pathogens in about 60% of the women with inflammation on the Pap smear cannot be overlooked and must be regarded with concern.

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