The apparition macrophage and Döderlein bacillus is negatively correlated in class I Papanicolaou smear: A morphological examination.

BACKGROUND Nonspecific vaginitis, also known as Bacterial vaginosis, unlike genital candidiasis and trichomoniasis, is caused by microbiome breakdown. Doderlein's bacillus are gram-positive bacillus that form a microbiome, reproduce in the female vagina after gaining sexual maturity, secrete lactic acid, and prevent the growth of other vaginitis-causing bacteria. Clue cell are squamous epithelial cells with Gardnerella sp. attached to their cell surface. The presence of clue cell is one of the diagnostic criteria for nonspecific vaginitis. Additionally, although macrophages are reported to protect against candidal vaginitis, there are no reports of studies examining the association between macrophages and clue cell. MATERIALS AND METHODS After re-staining 300 class I specimens by cervical cancer screening with Papanicolaou staining, the appearance of Doderlein's bacillus, macrophages, and clue cell was observed. RESULT Age group and appearance of Doderlein's bacillus were negatively correlated. The rate of appearance of macrophages was positively correlated with the age group. In people aged 50 years or more, the appearance rate of clue cells was significantly lower in the macrophage appearance group than that in the non-appearance group. CONCLUSION This study suggested that macrophages, and not Doderlein's bacillus, may play an important role in defense against nonspecific vaginitis.