Chronic cervicitis, follicular cervicitis and repair

• When acute inflammation resolves (either spontaneously or in response to treatment), it is usually followed by repair and regeneration of the cervical epithelium
• The cytological changes associated with repair and regeneration of the cervix can be detected in cervical smears.
• Occasionally acute cervicitis fails to resolve completely resulting in chronic infection. The changes induced by chronic infection can also be detected in cervical smears.