Vaginal Fluid Analysis Lecture Flashcards

This set of 100 flashcards covers terms, definitions, and morphological characteristics related to Vaginal Fluid Analysis, including bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, and trichomoniasis as described in Lecture 13.

Bacterial vaginosis

One of the three major causes of gynecologic complaints including vaginal discharge, discomfort, and odor.

Candidiasis

A major cause of vaginal symptoms often characterized by a white, curd-like discharge.

Trichomoniasis

A common parasitic gynecologic infection caused by flagellated protozoans.

Wet mount examination

A direct microscopy test used to differentiate causes of vaginal discharge, often performed immediately.

Amine test

Also known as the "whiff" test, used to detect a fishy odor from vaginal secretions.

Potassium hydroxide (KOH) examination

A microscopy test that uses one drop of $10\%$ KOH to digest cellular elements and visualize fungal elements.

Gram stain

A laboratory test used to differentiate bacterial morphotypes in vaginal secretions.

Dacron swab

A collection tool on a plastic shaft used to obtain vaginal secretions for testing.

Sterile wire loop

An alternative tool used for the collection of vaginal secretions.

Normal vaginal pH

A range typically between $3.8$ and $4.5$.

Lactobacilli

Healthy vaginal bacteria that produce lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide to maintain an acidic pH.

Lactic acid

Produced by lactobacilli to help maintain the normal acidic pH of the vagina.

Hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)

A bactericidal substance produced by lactobacilli that prevents the overgrowth of microbes like Gardnerella vaginalis.

Gardnerella vaginalis

A microbe whose overgrowth is prevented by hydrogen peroxide and is associated with bacterial vaginosis.

Physiologic saline

The liquid used in a wet mount to release secretions from a vaginal swab.

Whiff test

The observation of a fish-like amine odor immediately after adding $10\%$ KOH to a specimen.

Red blood cells (RBCs)

Elements not usually present in vaginal secretions except during menses.

White blood cells (WBCs)

Cells present in healthy vaginal secretions, with higher levels during ovulation and menses.

Squamous epithelial cells

The predominant cell type in wet mounts of a healthy vagina, measuring $30$ to $60\,\mu m$.

Clue cells

Squamous epithelial cells with shaggy-appearing edges covered in numerous bacteria; a diagnostic indicator of bacterial vaginosis.

Basal cells

Abnormal wet mount elements measuring $10$ to $16\,\mu m$, seen in desquamative inflammatory vaginitis.

Parabasal cells

Oval to round cells measuring $15$ to $40\,\mu m$ that increase in number during atrophic vaginitis.

Trichomonas vaginalis

A pear- or turnip-shaped unicellular flagellate that causes trichomoniasis.

Jerky movement

The characteristic motion of Trichomonas vaginalis attributed to four anterior flagella and an undulating membrane.

Undulating membrane

A structural feature of Trichomonas vaginalis that contributes to its motile behavior.

Average length of Trichomonas vaginalis

The standard size of this protozoan is approximately $15\,\mu m$.

Optimal pH for Trichomonas growth

The pH level at which Trichomonas vaginalis grows best, which is $6.0$.

Premature labor

A clinical risk factor in pregnant women associated with trichomoniasis infection.

Candida albicans

The fungal agent responsible for the majority of candidiasis cases.

Pseudohyphae

Fungal elements revealed by KOH and wet mount in cases of candidiasis.

Atrophic vaginitis

A condition occurring in peri- and postmenopausal women involving thinning of the vaginal epithelium.

Estrogen

The hormone replaced as a treatment for atrophic vaginitis.

Vaginal discharge

One of the most common gynecologic complaints examined in vaginal fluid analysis.

Vaginal itching

A symptom often associated with candidiasis or other forms of vaginitis.

Leaking of amniotic fluid

A clinical indication for performing vaginal fluid analysis during pregnancy.

Spotting

A clinical finding that can occur in atrophic vaginitis or other gynecologic conditions.

Fishy odor

The specific scent produced during a positive whiff test for bacterial vaginosis.

Flagellated protozoans

The class of organisms to which Trichomonas vaginalis belongs.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

A virus whose transmission is facilitated in women with trichomoniasis.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics

A common medication type that can predispose a patient to candidiasis.

Oral contraceptives

A medication that may lead to an increased incidence of candidiasis.

Diabetes

A systemic condition that predisposes an individual to Candida infections.

Stratified squamous epithelium

The tissue that lines the vagina and is frequently present on swabs.

Flagstone-shape

The characteristic physical appearance of squamous epithelial cells.

Nucleus/cytoplasm ratio of basal cells

The specific ratio for these cells is $1:2$.

Nucleus/cytoplasm ratio of parabasal cells

The specific ratio for these cells is either $1:1$ or $1:2$.

Desquamative inflammatory vaginitis

A condition characterized by the presence of basal cells and numerous WBCs.

Menses

A period during which RBCs and increased parabasal cells may normally be seen in vaginal secretions.

Postmenopausal period

A life stage associated with increased parabasal cells and atrophic vaginitis.

Foul discharge

A typical symptom of bacterial vaginosis.

External dysuria

Painful urination that is a common complaint in candidiasis and trichomoniasis.

Dyspareunia

Painful intercourse, frequently reported in trichomoniasis and atrophic vaginitis.

Yellow-green discharge

The characteristic color of discharge in a trichomoniasis infection.

Frothy discharge

A common physical characteristic of the discharge in trichomoniasis.

Curd-like discharge

The specific white, chunky texture of discharge associated with candidiasis.

Homogeneous discharge

The thin, gray appearance of discharge characteristic of bacterial vaginosis.

pH > 4.5

The typical pH measurement found in bacterial vaginosis and atrophic vaginitis.

pH 5.0 to 6.0

The pH range associated with trichomoniasis.

pH 3.8 to 4.5

The normal pH range also found in patients with candidiasis.

Lactobacilli coverage

These large rods typically account for $50\%$ to $90\%$ of microbes in a healthy vagina.

Lactobacilli decrease

An indication of an imbalance in microbial flora relative to squamous epithelial cells.

Coccobacilli

Bacteria that increase in number when large rod-shaped lactobacilli are rare or absent in bacterial vaginosis.

DNA probe analysis

A diagnostic method used when microscopy is negative for Trichomonas or Candida.

Budding yeast

Fungal elements found in wet mounts and KOH exams of patients with candidiasis.

Thinning of vaginal epithelium

A physical change in atrophic vaginitis resulting from decreased glycogen production.

Glycogen production

A biological process that decreases in peri- and postmenopausal women, leading to vaginal dryness.

Nonmotile Trichomonas

Dead protozoans that can resemble white blood cells (WBCs) under the microscope.

Plastic shaft

The specific material required for the shaft of the collection swab.

Cover slip

A glass piece placed over a drop of saline-suspended specimen for wet mount examination.

Low power

One of the two magnification levels used to examine wet mounts.

High power

The second magnification level used to examine wet mounts after low power.

Gram-negative rods

A bacterial morphotype that may increase in atrophic vaginitis along with Gram-positive cocci.

Gram-positive cocci

Small spherical bacteria that may increase in number in atrophic vaginitis.

Adherent to mucosa

A characteristic of discharge in bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis.

Vaginal soreness

A symptom shared by candidiasis, trichomoniasis, and atrophic vaginitis.

Finely granulated cytoplasm

The appearance of the cytoplasm in aging squamous epithelial cells.

Diagnostic indicator of BV

The specific clinical role of clue cells in vaginal fluid analysis.

Amine release

The chemical process that produces the fishy odor when KOH is added.

Malodorous discharge

A general term for foul-smelling vaginal secretions seen in BV and trichomoniasis.

Unicellular bodies

The basic cellular structure of Trichomonas vaginalis.

Jerky movement pH

This motion is used to identify Trichomonas at an optimal pH of $6.0$.

Immunosuppression

A medical state that predisposes a patient to the development of candidiasis.

Microbial flora imbalance

A condition indicated by the decrease of lactobacilli and increase of other bacterial morphotypes.

Vaginal mucosa

The lining of the vagina from which swabs are taken for analysis.

Pear-shaped

One of the two shapes used to describe the body of Trichomonas vaginalis.

Turnip-shaped

One of the two shapes used to describe the body of Trichomonas vaginalis.

Four anterior flagella

The specific appendages that provide Trichomonas vaginalis with its motility.

Risk factor for premature labor

A significant obstetric concern associated with the presence of trichomoniasis.

Replacement of estrogen

The primary therapeutic intervention for managing atrophic vaginitis.

Decrease in glycogen

A physiological change leading to dryness and spotting in postmenopausal women.

Vaginal discomfort

A broad category of complaints including itching and burning.

Direct microscopy

A category of tests including wet mounts, KOH, and Gram stains.

Microscopist experience

A requirement for the accurate identification of clue cells.

Vaginal suspension

The mixture of secretions and saline used for wet mount and KOH testing.

Bactericidal

The property of hydrogen peroxide that allows it to kill certain microbes in the vagina.

Small central nucleus

A characteristic feature of a squamous epithelial cell.

Shaggy-appearing edges

The specific morphological feature that defines a clue cell.

Vaginal dryness

A symptom specifically noted in atrophic vaginitis.

10% KOH

The exact concentration of potassium hydroxide used in the Whiff test.

3.8 to 4.5

The exact normal range for healthy vaginal pH recorded on commercial pH paper.