Cervical cancer: Epidemiology, aetiology, pathogenesis and main histological types
DODERLEIN BACILLI : These lactobacili appear as blue staining rods 1-2 μm in length in the background to the smear .They metabolise the glycogen in the intermediate cells and maintain the acid pH of the vagina.They are particularly abundant in smears from pregnant women .This results in cytolysis with destruction of the cytoplasm .The intermediate cells appear ragged and bare intermediate cells nuclei are commonly seen. This pattern is sometimes seen in women on oral contraception and in the late secretory phase of the cycle. Cytolysis can be so marked as to render a smear unsuitable for evaluation