[The influence of cervicovaginitis agents on epithelial cell changes: comparison of Mardin city's data with the literature].

OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper was to observe the reactive changes of epithelial cells exposed to the influence of cervicovaginitis agents that play an important role in the cytology practice and may cause an exaggerated appearance. MATERIAL AND METHOD 378 cases with cervicovaginitis caused by a specific agent were compared with 100 control cases. It was recorded if the inflammation had concomitant cellular changes and atypia or not. After treatment, control smears were examined. The reactive and atypical situations of the cells were considered after the treatment. With the aid of the previous data, the answer to the following question was searched: Is epithelial atypia a real event or a reactive atypia that accompanies an existing cervicitis agent? RESULTS In the first interpretation, Candida group had the most frequent reactive and ASC-US (Atypic Squamous cells of Undetermined Significance) changes (56,4% and 59,5% respectively). The bacterial vaginosis and Trichomonas vaginalis groups showed ASC-US rates of 25% and 9,5% respectively while in control group the rate was 6,0%. After treatment, the number of cases of ASC-US decreased from 50 to 11. Similarly, the number decreased from 21 to 10 in the bacterial vaginosis group. CONCLUSION Cervicovaginitis agents need more attention because of their outcomes. Being aware of the cervicovaginitis agents during interpretation is essential for preventing a false positive diagnosis and unnecessary anxiety especially where cellular atypia is concerned.