Being regularly examined by a gynecologist is the duty of every woman who values her he alth. During a routine examination, the doctor usually takes a swab from the woman's vagina for flora. Based on the results of laboratory tests, he can draw conclusions about the degree of purity of the vaginal microflora, and, if necessary, prescribe drugs to normalize it. The doctor pays special attention to how many Dederlein sticks are present in the woman's vagina, as this may indicate a problem.
What a vaginal smear shows
A swab from the vagina taken for analysis is applied to the glass, after which it is stained with specially designed dyes. Further examination of the material under a microscope is designed to determine the following indicators:
- mucus;
- leukocytes;
- squamous epithelium;
- some pathogens;
- Dederlein sticks.
Vaginal cleanliness is measured by the ratio ofDederlein sticks to the number of cocci. With a reduced concentration of the first, the microbiocenosis of the vagina is considered disturbed, in other words, this indicates the development of bacteriosis. So Dederlein sticks are very important.
Special role of Dederlein sticks
These special bacteria are part of the vaginal microbiocenosis, moreover, they are its main part. Providing an acidic environment in the vagina is the main task that Dederlein's sticks perform. What are they and how do they work? These are lactobacilli, that is, beneficial bacteria that look like elongated sticks under the microscope (hence the name). Their waste product is lactic acid. Why is she needed? Weak and poorly developed spermatozoa die in lactic acid - this is how primary selection occurs.
The role of vaginal lactobacilli is much more widespread. They contribute to the activity of macrophages, that is, immune cells that actively fight against all harmful "strangers". In addition, Dederlein's sticks provoke the production of biologically active substances and specific antibodies. And besides this, they are active participants in the processes involved in the work of local and general immunity.
What Dederlein sticks say in a smear
As already noted, these bacteria in the composition of the vaginal microbiocenosis quantitatively exceed all other components. If Dederlein sticks are found in a very large amount in a smear, then the woman is not infected with viruses, microbes or protozoa. If athe same analysis will reveal that the number of lactobacilli has decreased, this will indicate the development of vaginal dysbacteriosis.
If the number of Dederlein sticks in the vagina is reduced or they are completely absent, then the woman is either infected with something, or this is the result of internal changes in her body. The culprits of bacterial vaginosis and a series of other diseases associated with it can be trichomonas and gardnerella. Also, the causes of such an extremely undesirable condition can be antibiotics, hormone therapy, intestinal dysbacteriosis, malfunctions in the production of hormones or the immune system.
Usually, when a small number of Dederlein sticks is found in the general analysis, the gynecologist prescribes an additional analysis (bakposev) aimed at detecting the cause of such a deplorable state of the microflora.
How to increase the number of Dederlein sticks
It is possible to bring the number of lactobacilli in the vagina back to normal only after the reasons for the reduction in their number are discovered and eliminated. Bakposev (analysis, when a vaginal swab is placed in an artificial nutrient medium) helps not only to identify harmful bacteria and fungi, as well as their number, but also to conduct experiments to determine antibiotics suitable for treatment.
After a properly carried out sanitation of the vagina, restorative therapy is usually prescribed to normalize the microflora. At this time, it is advisable to use vaginal suppositories, with the help of which beneficial bacteria, including rods, are colonized. Dederlein.
Dederlein sticks play a big role in protecting the female genital tract from infection and affect the immunity of the whole organism. A decrease in their number indicates the development of vaginal dysbacteriosis, which may be due to various reasons. Only after their elimination can the vaginal microbiocenosis be restored. If such a condition is ignored, the most unpleasant and dangerous diseases can develop over time.
