Clinical usefulness of cervical smear in the diagnosis of vaginal candidiasis

Abstract

The clinical usefulness of cervical smears in the diagnosis of vaginal candidiasis has yet to be evaluated. We, therefore, estimated the sensitivity and the reliability of the diagnosis of candidiasis by cervical smear. The results obtained were as follows:
(1) Using 45 cases with positive culture for Candida, in which a cervical smear was obtained simultaneously, diagnostic sensitivity was analyzed. The presence of Candida was reported in 23 cases (51%). By careful re-screening of the smears where no Candida was found, fungal pseudohyphae and/or yeast was observed in 14 cases.
(2) In 17 cases in which Candida was reported to be positive by cervical smear, vaginal discharge was cultured two weeks later. Candida was isolated in 16 of these cases (94%).
The sensitivity of the diagnosis of Candida infection by cervical smear was approximately 50%, but the detection of fungal pseudohyphae and/or yeast may be possible in 80% of cases with careful screening. Conversely, the positivty rate for Candida was considered to be extremely reliable.