Clue cells are certain cells in the vagina (vaginal epithelial cells) that appear fuzzy without sharp edges under a microscope. Clue cells change to this fuzzy look when they are coated with bacteria. If clue cells are seen, it means bacterial vaginosis is present.
Do clue cells always mean BV?
A sample of vaginal discharge is checked for bacteria, white blood cells, and unusual cells called clue cells. If clue cells are found, it means you may have bacterial vaginosis.
Does BV mean I have chlamydia?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of unusual vaginal discharge. BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can increase your risk of getting an STI such as chlamydia.
Can BV turn into chlamydia if left untreated?
Most often, BV does not cause other health problems. However, if left untreated, BV may increase your risk for: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. Pelvic inflammatory disease where BV bacteria infect the uterus or fallopian tubes.
What does it mean when clue cells are seen Related Questions
What STD has clue cells?
The Gardnerella vaginalis infection of the urogenital tract, an STD, is of clinical importance in females and of epidemiological importance in males. Females suffer from vulvovaginitis amine colpitis, with a bad-smelling grey vaginal discharge with a pH of 5.0-5.5, which contains “clue cells”.
Is clue cell clinically significant?
Detection of clue cells is the most useful single procedure for the diagnosis of BV. Bacterial vaginosis accounts for 10 to 30% of the cases of infectious vaginitis[5] in women of childbearing age and presents with malodorous vaginal discharge and vulvar irritation.
Do clue cells indicate gonorrhea?
Clue cells can be identified accurately. Gram stain of the endocervical mucous may be helpful in the evaluation of cervicitis. If gram-negative diplococci are seen inside cells, this is diagnostic for Neisseria gonorrhea. This is a relatively insensitive test, however, and should not substitute for a culture.
Can an STD be misdiagnosed as BV?
Often, BV can be mistaken for other conditions, such as yeast infections or sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia. Often, BV (or STDs) do not have any symptoms at all, so it’s imperative always to make a yearly gynecological appointment.
Can BV show up as an STD?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does include BV on their STD website, but also says that “BV is not considered an STD.”
Can BV test positive for chlamydia?
Bacterial vaginosis is a strong predictor of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infection.
Can you be positive for BV and chlamydia?
For every one additional episode of BV, the risk of acquiring chlamydia and gonorrhea infections increased by 13% and 26%, respectively. A monotonic dose‚àíresponse relationship was also noted between antecedent BV and subsequent chlamydia and gonorrhea infection.
What bacteria can be mistaken for chlamydia?
Chlamydia and trichomoniasis are similar infections and they are commonly confused, but it’s important to know the difference, as the two infections are not treated with the same antibiotic. Trichomoniasis (trich) is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas Vaginalis.
How did I get chlamydia if my partner doesn’t have it?
Although chlamydia is highly contagious, it does not always transmit to a person’s sexual partners. It is also possible to have a false-negative test result. Having more frequent sex with a partner who has chlamydia may increase a person’s risk of contracting it.
What are signs of chlamydia in females?
pain when urinating. unusual vaginal discharge. pain in the tummy or pelvis. pain during sex. bleeding after sex. bleeding between periods.
What kind of odor does chlamydia have?
If you have a fishy vaginal odor due to chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis, these STDs are easily curable with prescription antibiotics.
What is the presence of clue cells suggestive of?
They are a medical sign of bacterial vaginosis, particularly that caused by Gardnerella vaginalis, a group of Gram-variable bacteria. This bacterial infection is characterized by a foul, fishy smelling, thin gray vaginal discharge, and an increase in vaginal pH from around 4.5 to over 5.5.
What does the presence of clue cells suggest a diagnosis of?
Some characteristic signs and symptoms indicative of BV are thin, off-white vaginal discharge, a fishy vaginal odor, and the presence of clue cells (these signs and symptoms are included in a set of clinical criteria for BV diagnosis called the Amsel criteria).
What can clue cells be found in infections with?
Clue cells are epithelial cells covered by adherent gram-negative rods, observed in vaginal smears from women with bacterial vaginosis.
What does 20% clue cells mean?
Therefore, the presence of 20% or more clue cells in the Papanicolaou smear is an accurate and reproducible criterion for the diagnosis of BV and may be used in screening for this infection, eliminating the need for further vaginal sample collection.
Are clue cells a yeast infection?
Yeast cells found on the wet mount may mean a vaginal yeast infection is present. Trichomonads on the wet mount mean trichomoniasis is present. Clue cells may mean bacterial vaginosis is present.