Bacteriological research today occupy important positions in medicine. What does a smear show on microflora? The results of the analysis make it possible to judge the functional state of the organs and systems of the body, timely detect deviations and diseases, determine the effectiveness of treatment, the fact of recovery of the patient. There are several varieties of such smears: for women, for men, collecting material from the nose, throat and ear.
In this article, we will analyze in detail what a smear shows on the microflora in women. How this procedure is carried out, how to properly prepare for it, how to decipher the test results, which diseases are detected.
What it is?
Why is a smear collected on microflora in women? To begin with, all human organs, including the genital ones, communicating with the external environment, have a constant and rather abundant microflora. These are useful, conditionally neutral, pathogens. Normally, their number is balanced in certain proportions. But with the development of infections or other diseases, this balance is disturbed.
A smear on the microflora (gynecological in women) is a bacterioscopic method for studying biomaterial. Its main advantages: ease of procedure and speed of results. They make it simple: the doctor conducts a special tool through the mucous membrane.
Next, the resulting biomaterial is stained, treated with special saline solutions. Then it is carefully examined under a microscope. As a result of such a study, a specialist can see protozoa, fungi, bacteria, viruses. It is quite difficult to determine their genus, species, since the microflora is quite similar in appearance, can significantly change under the influence of drugs or other external factors.
But to assess the size, shape, number of such microorganisms is quite real. Based on this information, a specialist can judge the condition of the patient’s organs and life systems, talk about the presence or absence of the inflammatory process, the degree of its development, even if it does not manifest itself externally.
Further, the collected material can be additionally used for bacteriological culture on the mucous flora. What it is? Such an analysis allows you to identify the causative agents of infectious diseases, their ratio, as well as the sensitivity of these organisms to antibiotic drugs.
Throat swab
We will also determine what the smear from the throat on the microflora shows. This is no longer a gynecological procedure. Biomaterial is collected from the mucous membrane of the oral cavity.
Such an examination can be prescribed to the patient with the following:
- Angina with a plaque on the mucous membranes.
- Mononucleosis, developed against the background of infection.
- Tuberculosis.
- Laryngotracheitis is stenotic.
- The appearance of purulent formations near the tonsils.
- Sinusitis.
- Pharyngitis.
- Rhinitis.
- Frequent runny nose, sore throat.
- Suspicion of whooping cough or diphtheria.
It is important to properly prepare for the procedure. Otherwise, the survey results will be false. The preparation rules are simple:
- Do not eat or drink anything 2 hours before the procedure.
- Do not brush your teeth or gargle before taking biomaterial.
- Before the procedure, do not use balms, solutions, rinses, sprays containing antibiotics or antimicrobial components.
The analysis is collected simply - a cotton swab is inserted into the patient's mouth and pressed to the back of the tonsils and pharynx. The procedure is painless, but somewhat unpleasant, as some patients feel vomiting during it.
What does a throat swab show for microflora? The analysis revealed the following organisms:
- Diphtheria corinobacteria.
- Pneumococci.
- Listeria.
- Meningococci.
- Staphylococcus aureus.
- Hemolytic streptococci.
- Hemophilic sticks.
If the content of these microorganisms does not exceed 10 4 CFU / ml for each position, there is no need to prescribe antibiotics to eliminate this pathogenic flora. Otherwise, a test is carried out on the sensitivity of the detected organisms to antibiotic drugs.
In the results of the analysis, this is indicated by a “+” sign opposite each of the drug names. The more pluses, the more sensitive the microorganism to the drug. This means that treatment with it will be more effective.
Indications for analysis
How to make a smear in women on the microflora, sticks? The contents are separated from the mucous membrane of the vagina, cervix or urethra. From which location, it depends on the testimony to the test.
Among the main, the patient's complaints about the following stand out:
- Pain in the lower abdomen when urinating.
- Itching, burning in the vagina.
- Irritation in the genital area.
- Suspicious vaginal discharge.
- Long-term use of antibiotic drugs.
What a smear on microflora in women shows is also necessary for girls planning a pregnancy. In addition, the analysis is prescribed as a preventive measure for the timely detection of sexually transmitted infections.
How to prepare for the procedure?
The result of a smear on the microflora in women also depends on the correct preparation of the patient for the procedure. And, of course, from the doctor’s correct actions when collecting biomaterial. Only in this case, the results of bacteriological studies will be informative and reliable.
In particular, a gynecological smear is prescribed to a woman only during the period when she does not have menstrual bleeding. At the same time, one to two days before the procedure, it is prohibited:
- Do douching.
- Engage in sexual contact.
- To take a bath.
- Use lubricants.
On the very day of the procedure for collecting biological material, experts do not advise carrying out hygienic procedures of the genitals using various detergents. 2-3 hours before the smear, the mucous membranes of the intimate zone are forbidden even to wet. Therefore, you can not go to the toilet.
How is the procedure performed?
Gynecological smear is a safe and almost painless procedure. She feels no different from a routine inspection. Material is taken, depending on the indications, from the mucous membranes of the urethra, cervix or vagina.
To collect microflora, the specialist uses a special medical spatula. It looks like a plastic stick with a slightly widened end. After taking the material, the doctor distributes the contents with a spatula on a clean slide. The latter must be marked where the biomaterial was taken from - from the urethra, vagina or cervical mucosa.
What diseases can be detected?
What does a smear show on microflora in women? Using this simple, quick and relatively inexpensive analysis, you can confirm or rule out the presence of the following diseases:
- Bacterial vaginosis.
- Vaginitis - aerobic or atrophic.
- Candidiasis.
- Human papillomavirus.
- Inflammatory processes caused by gonorrhea.
- Trichomoniasis
- Chlamydia
- Herpes of the person of the 1st and 2nd types.
- Epstein-Barr virus.
- Cytomegalovirus.
- Treponema pallidum.
- Mobilunkus.
- Ureaplasma.
- Gonococcus
- Mycoplasma.
- Gardnerella.
What does a smear show on microflora in women?
After the biological material is examined, laboratory assistants fill out a special document, which indicates the results of the work. What does the smear show on the microflora of the vagina or cervix? The number of specific cells, inclusions, microorganisms in the investigated material:
- Flat epithelium.
- White blood cells.
- Yeast.
- Lactobacilli.
- Key cells.
- Diplococci.
- Gonococci.
- Leptotrix.
- Trichomonas.
- Mobilunkus.
- Streptococcus
- Enterococci.
- Staphylococci.
If the microflora in a woman’s smear is mixed, moderate - what does this analysis result indicate? Of course, only an experienced doctor can correctly interpret a medical document. But still there are key points that the patient herself can understand. However, such a self-diagnosis should not be considered sufficient - a doctor’s consultation is necessary in any case.
Explanation of symbols
We turn to the decoding of the smear on the microflora. In women, it can be taken from the mucous membrane in several locations. Accordingly, the main notations are distinguished by them:
- U - urethra.
- V is the vagina.
- C - cervical canal of the cervix.
Next, you should pay attention to the main names of inclusions, microorganisms that can be found in the smear:
- L - white blood cells. These cells can be found on the mucosa both in a relatively healthy state and in case of illness. Their main significance here is the protection of the genital organs from infection. If white blood cells are found to be more than normal, this gives the specialist the right to judge that the inflammatory process has begun, an infection has entered the system of organs.
- "Ep" is the epithelium. These, respectively, are the cells of the mucous membrane, which are found both in a relatively healthy state, and in case of illness, infection. If the epithelium is absent in the results of the analysis, then there is a reason to talk about a hormonal imbalance in the body of a woman. However, in the case when the indicators on the epithelium go beyond the norm, this indicates the development of the inflammatory process.
- Slime. Such an element will necessarily be present in a small volume both in the vagina and in the cervical cervix. But its presence or an increase in the content in the urethra may indicate the onset of inflammation.
- General indicators of microflora (or "other microflora"). You need to carefully study this section of the medical document. Dederlein sticks must be present in the woman's vagina, and in large quantities. Their other name is lactobacilli. These microorganisms are natural defenders of the body. Their number can reach up to 95% of all available microflora. And these are normal indicators.
Lactobacilli form lactic acid. With its help, the necessary balance of acidity is maintained on the mucosa, which protects against the penetration of pathogens. During pregnancy, the number of Dederlein sticks decreases naturally. It can also occur in certain diseases.
Exceeding normal rates
In the smear of a woman, mixed microflora. What does that mean? Only the attending doctor gives a concrete answer, having fully studied the results of the analysis. It all depends on the ratio of microorganisms, inclusions of various cells, elements. If their volume exceeds normal values, there is reason to talk about the development of infection, inflammation.
You can independently judge such a probability by paying attention to the number of “+” opposite to certain names in the certificate. There can be four options:
- "+" - a certain excess of the norm. But without suspicion of the development of the inflammatory process.
- "++" is a moderate increase. Such an indicator says that inflammation has already begun to develop.
- "+++" - an increase in the number of certain elements. Inflammation has not only appeared, but is already developing and progressing.
- "++++" is a plentiful amount. An alarming indicator by which one can judge the presence of a serious disease that affects the genitourinary system. About the advanced stage of infection or illness, the formation of an oncological character.
What should not be in the analysis results?
If a woman’s smear has polymorphic microflora, what can this be said? On the mucous membrane there are not only useful, protective microorganisms, but also relatively neutral and even pathogenic. One or another disease can be judged by knowing their balance. Not always the presence of a small proportion of pathogens directly indicates the development of the disease.
However, there are a number of representatives of microflora, the presence of which in the results of the analysis indicates infection (accordingly, a dash will mean that the woman is healthy):
- Gonococcus This is a gram-negative bacterium, the causative agent of gonorrhea. Cocci in a smear in women on the microflora should be absent altogether. If gonococci were found, this may indicate the onset of inflammation of the cervix, urethra, fallopian tubes, or even the rectum.
- Trichomonads. These are plastic bacteria that are quite difficult to detect when conducting a smear on the microflora. Therefore, the biomaterial for determining the presence of trichomonads is additionally transferred to the bacterial sowing. If bacteria were found on the cervical mucosa, this indicates developing trichomoniasis.
- Key cells. These are not alien microorganisms, but ordinary epithelial cells. Only glued to gardnerella and other pathogens. If they were found as a result of a gynecological smear, this usually indicates the development of vaginosis.
- Candidates. If coccal microflora in a smear in a woman should not be present, then these fungi can be found in small quantities in healthy women. But in the event that candida is contained in terms of more than beneficial lactobacilli, this indicates that candidiasis develops (better known as thrush). In the early stages, the disease can be identified by slight itching during urination.
- Atypical cells. These are own, but modified cells of the body. Their detection may indicate the development of cancer.
Specific numbers and meanings
What does the smear show on the microflora of the vagina? First of all, the presence of pathogenic organisms on the mucous membrane, their number. With the help of such an analysis of biomaterial, you can find out about the ratio of useful, neutral and harmful microflora. And already on the basis of this information to judge the development of a particular infection and pathology.
Depending on the place from which the smear was taken, the rate of performance varies. Regarding the vagina, these are the following numbers:
- White blood cells: 0-10-15.
- Epithelium: less than or equal to 10.
- Mucus: not contained or in moderation.
- Key cells: none.
- Gonococci (Gn): None.
- Candidates: no.
- Trichomonas (Trich): no.
- Another microflora: lactobacilli (gram-positive Dederlein sticks) are contained in large or moderate quantities.
We continue to analyze what is the norm for microflora in a smear in women. If the biomaterial was collected from the mucous membrane of the cervix, the following values will be normal:
- White blood cells: 0-30.
- Epithelium: 10 or less.
- Mucus: none or moderate.
- Key cells: not present.
- Gonococcus: no.
- Candidates: no.
- Trichomonas: no.
- Other microflora: not detected.
The microflora norm in a smear for women taken from the urethra will be slightly different:
- White blood cells: 0-5-10.
- Epithelium: a value equal to or less than 10.
- Slime: no.
- Key cells: absent.
- Gonococci: no.
- Candidates: no.
- Trichomonas: no.
- Other microflora: not present.
Types of Conclusions
Throughout the study, five types of conclusions are distinguished:
- Negative. There are no deviations from the norm, the woman is healthy.
- There is a certain inflammatory disease that needs treatment.
- Single cells with an abnormal nucleus structure were found in the epithelium.
- There is a suspicion of cervical erosion, malignancy, parakeratosis, papillomavirus, genital herpes.
- There is an oncological disease that requires immediate treatment.
Procedure for pregnant women
Pregnant women are prescribed microflora tests more often. This is due to the fact that a simple smear allows you to notice infection, inflammation, which can be dangerous for both mom and baby. Diseases of the genital organs significantly undermine the immunity of a pregnant woman, and can cause pathological development of the fetus.
The biomaterial is taken here as standard. However, when taking a smear from the cervical cervix, the doctor should be extremely careful not to provoke a miscarriage.
Analysis of the collected material will allow you to notice in time many dangerous conditions that have not yet begun to manifest themselves with characteristic symptoms: gonorrhea, syphilis, candidiasis, mycoplasmosis, genital herpes, ureaplasmosis.
It should be noted that during gestation, normal rates will slightly differ from standard rates for a non-pregnant woman. This is primarily due to the increased production of progesterone by the body. He, in turn, inhibits the division of white blood cells. 20 , . , , . , .
, . , , , .
Gynecological smear - a simple analysis that allows you to get quick results, additionally carry out bacteriosis. With it, you can judge the beginning of the development of a list of pathologies. You know the basic decryption of the results. However, this is only fact-finding information - only your doctor can make a diagnosis.