The cytologist and bacterioses of the vaginal-ectocervical area. Clues, commas and confusion.

To evaluate the role of the cytologist in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, the predominant bacterial patterns seen in 157 Papanicolaou-stained cervical smears were assessed and classified as large bacillus, anaerobic or scanty. A large bacillus pattern was found in 73 smears (46%), an anaerobic pattern in 77 (49%) and scanty bacteria in 7 (5%). Comma-shaped (curved) bacilli were found in 34 smears. The prevalence of clue cells in smears with anaerobic patterns was 73%. Gardnerella vaginalis was cultured from 89% of the cases with anaerobic-type smears containing clue cells and from 88% of those with anaerobic-type smears lacking clue cells. Mobiluncus sp. was cultured from 83% of the cases with anaerobic-type smears showing curved bacilli and 14% of those with anaerobic-type smears lacking curved bacilli. Papanicolaou-stained smears were found to be more sensitive and more specific for identifying clue cells than were wet preparations. A positive association was found between a positive KOH "whiff" test and the presence of curved bacilli on the Papanicolaou-stained smear. The clinical significance of these findings is discussed.

Multiseptate bodies in systemic phaeohyphomycosis diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology.

Fine needle aspiration of a lung nodule in an immunosuppressed adult man revealed numerous dematiaceous (pigmented) fungi with both hyphal and spherical forms. Multiseptate bodies ("muriform" cells) were also present in small numbers. Fonsecaea pedrosoi was cultured from the aspirate. The cytomorphologic features of the fungus in tissue are described, and the significance of finding fungal cells that divide both by budding and fission is discussed.