Gynecological culture test is a laboratory microscopic examination characterizing the microflora present in the cervix, vagina and urethra. This study (it is also called a general smear on the flora or bacterioscopy) describes the bacteriological condition in the cervix, as well as in the vagina. The biomaterial is applied to glass, it is stained with dyes, which make it possible to more clearly distinguish bacteria under a microscope. In this case, the following indicators are evaluated: the number of leukocytes and erythrocytes along with the composition of the flora, the presence of Trichomonas, gonococcus, fungi and lactobacilli.
Indications
Usually, doctors prescribe a culture test in gynecology in the following cases:
- Against the background of complaints of pain in the lower abdomen, combined with discomfort in the genital area, itching, unusual vaginal discharge, and so on.
- As part of a preventive examinationat the gynecologist every six months.
- Women's planning for childbirth and pregnancy.
- Long-term therapy with antibiotics, various hormones or cytostatics.
- Factor of change of sexual partner.
Research needs careful preparation.
Preparation for gynecological culture analysis
Immediately before a visit to the gynecologist for this analysis, the following requirements must be met:
- Need to refrain from sex for two days.
- Do not use vaginal products (cream, suppositories) and douche for two days.
- Before culture analysis, it is recommended not to urinate for two hours.
It is advisable to take a smear for women immediately after menstruation, on the fourth or fifth day of the cycle.
Carrying out the procedure
How is culture taken in gynecology? Biomaterial sampling is carried out by a gynecologist using a disposable spatula from three points: the urethra, vagina and cervix. When taking a smear, the substance can also be taken with a special brush or with sterile cotton swabs. Before taking the biomaterial, mucus must be removed, since its presence can give false results. The culture test procedure is usually painless.
Note
What is a tank. sowing is now known. It should be noted that the duration of its cultivation directly depends on the presence of which microscopic organism is necessary.to be identified within the study. The longest, as a rule, crops ripen in the presence of chlamydia, which is fifteen days.
Deciphering a smear on flora in women
Normally, rod flora with single leukocytes is determined in the taken biomaterial. Coccal predominance, as well as a large amount of leukocytes (inflammatory cells) and erythrocytes, are present in inflammatory processes. The detection of Trichomonas in the biomaterial speaks of trichomoniasis, gonococci - of gonorrhea. Often, filaments of mycelium are found, that is, candidiasis, which is also called thrush.
Deciphering a smear on the flora in women makes it possible to determine the species and number of bacteria. This also makes it possible to establish sensitivity to antibacterial agents.
Squamous epithelium
If, when considering biological material, there are no more than 10 cells in the field of view, then everything is fine. This indicator is always present in the smear, as these cells are regularly updated.
If it is present in large numbers, more than ten in the field of view, then such an increase in the number of epithelial cells is a sign of the presence of inflammatory processes in the vagina.
If the squamous epithelium is not found at all, we can assume a hormonal imbalance in a woman along with an insufficient amount of estrogen. This is considered an indirect symptom of atrophy of the vaginal mucosa.
Leukocytes
A white blood cell count in a woman's smear from zero to ten in the field of view is the norm. A single presence of these cells in the vagina, as well as on the surface of the cervix, is allowed. A value of more than fifteen in combination with an epithelium of more than ten indicates the presence of an inflammatory process occurring inside the female organs.
Leukocytes present in the cervical canal
In the cervical canal, the presence of these cells in an amount that does not exceed thirty is the norm. If there are more than thirty leukocytes in the field of view, and the prismatic epithelium, in turn, is more than ten, this is a sign of inflammation within the cervical canal.
What else can a gynecological culture test reveal?
Staphylococcus aureus
Normally, the complete absence of extraneous flora is considered a sign of a high degree of purity of female organs. If less than ten opportunistic foreign microorganisms are found, then this is quite acceptable, but only if there are no signs of inflammation.
When the rate of Staphylococcus aureus and leukocytes is more than fifteen, this indicates the presence of a large number of cocci, leukocytes and inflammatory cells. Moreover, in this case we are talking about purulent processes in the vagina, as well as in the cervical canal.
Sticks
If the flora does not contain these elements, then this is considered a sign of a serious violation in the general condition of the vagina, which will be expressed by inflammation in combination with the exclusion of lactobacilli. It is worth noting that ninety-five percent of all bacteria should normally be exactlysticks.
Atypical cells
Normally, they should not be detected. Their presence indicates hardrenellosis, that is, the development of bacterial vaginosis. As a rule, the presence of an excessive amount of gardnerella is manifested in women by an unpleasant odor emanating from the vagina, which is similar to the smell of spoiled fish.
Candida
Yeast fungi should also in no case be present in the he althy microflora of the vagina. Their presence is a manifestation of thrush, as well as an accompanying signal for various inflammatory processes occurring in the vagina. Candida is found as a conditional pathogenic flora, they often accompany all kinds of viral infections of the vagina and cervix.
Trichomonas
Normally, this should not be detected. If it is still found in a smear in any amount, then this is considered a laboratory confirmation of the development of trichomoniasis. In such a situation, specific drug therapy is needed, including the sexual partner.
Gonococci
Normally, they should not be detected. Found in a smear in any amount, they are considered laboratory confirmation of the occurrence of gonorrhea. Antibacterial therapy is needed, including the sexual partner.
E. coli - what does it mean?
E. coli in a smear in women should not be normal. If present, it can act as a component of conditional pathogenic flora,entering the genital organ from the intestines. In the presence of a significant number of leukocytes and against the background of the absence of other infections, the stick in the smear is considered the causative agent of inflammatory processes.
Pregnancy test
During the period of gestation, women repeatedly take a smear for the microflora from the urogenital tract, because any inflammatory processes can affect the he alth of the child. The study of the flora is carried out by studying the biomaterial, which is taken from three places: the vaginal mucosa, the cervical canal and the urethra.
The female genital organs, cervix and vagina serve as the birth canal through which the fetus passes. If an inflammatory process is established in the smear, there is a risk of infection of the baby during childbirth, along with the colonization of the intestines and skin with pathological microflora and the occurrence of all kinds of diseases.
If there is an unfavorable result of the analysis for culture during pregnancy (in gynecology it is a common type of research) in the first two trimesters, there is a high probability of developing infection of the fetal membrane and water (the fact is that the pathogenic flora easily penetrates through the cervical canal into the cavity uterus). Damage to the placenta and the appearance of intrauterine infections of the fetus are not excluded. As a result of all this, pregnancy can end in spontaneous miscarriage, the onset of premature birth. Among other things, the mechanism of water formation (low water) may be disrupted. There is also a risk of placental insufficiency and intrauterine growth retardation.
In addition, the pathological microflora of the genital ducts in women also affects the general nature of the postpartum period. The risks of developing purulent and septic complications increase (perineal suture suppuration and the appearance of endometritis and sepsis are possible). Taking a control analysis allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy.
A bad smear in the last trimester is extremely dangerous for infection of the fetal membrane and its early rupture, which leads to premature birth, and in addition, to infection of the fetus. In addition, colpitis in the last period of pregnancy loosens the birth canal, they can swell and are easily injured, which leads to numerous injuries of the perineum, cervix and vagina.
Treating pregnant women with a bad smear
At the pathological result of the analysis for sowing in gynecology, treatment is prescribed. During gestation, preference is given to local therapy, which reduces the likelihood of a negative effect of medications on the fetus. Treatment directly depends on the established pathogen and proceeds, as a rule, in two stages. The first involves the appointment of etiotropic therapy, which is aimed at eliminating the causes of a pathogenic smear, and the second aims to restore normal vaginal microflora.
In case of detection of Trichomonas in the smear in the initial trimester, women are prescribed douching with solutions such as "Furacillin", potassium permanganate. Herbal decoctions are also suitable. From the second trimester, intravaginal is requiredthe introduction of suppositories containing metronidazole (these are preparations "Terzhinan", "Klion-D"). Oral use of drugs containing this therapeutic component is allowed in the last period of gestation (for example, Trichopolum or Ornidazole).
Bacterial vaginosis in the presence of early pregnancy is treated with tampons containing clindamycin, in the second trimester of pregnancy, women are prescribed Tinidazole suppositories. In case of detection of gonorrhea, therapy with antibiotics belonging to the cephalosporin series (Cefixime or Ceftriaxone) is indicated.
Treatment of thrush includes the introduction of suppositories with antifungal activity (we are talking about "Gino-Pevaril", "Clotrimazole", "Pimafucin"). At a later date, they drink Fluconazole tablets. The second stage of therapy includes the appointment of probiotics by the intravaginal method (suppositories, as well as tampons, for example, Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin, Apilak or Bifidin). The duration of therapy is ten to fourteen days.
Thus, we figured out what seeding is in gynecology. A smear for diseases of the urogenital area is one of the most common, and at the same time, informative research methods in modern medicine. Thanks to him, you can not only detect banal inflammation, but additionally prevent the development of various oncological diseases. Despite the reliability, and in addition, the availability of the technique, not all women are aware of the need for regular visits to the gynecologist and the delivery of appropriate tests and, unfortunately, they turn to the doctor only inextremely neglected cases.
