Microwave assisted silver stain for pap smear to improve the identification of coccobacillary flora

Introduction: Pap smear has been utilized since a long time in detecting cervical pre-cancers and cancers. Their potential in diagnosing pathogenic organisms however is underestimated. Reporting organisms morphologically consistent with Candida species, in cervicovaginal smears, is easier, but coexisting coccobacillary flora is often missed in the bargain. Such co-existing infections make the treatment difficult for clinicians, prolonging the distressing symptoms of patients. We evaluated modified silver staining technique using a microwave - JONES MARRES STAIN (JM) and tried comparing the results with conventional Pap smears to find any additional flora. Aim: To identify co-existing organisms in addition to Candida in a Pap smear stained with Jones Marres stain. Materials and methods: This retrospective prevalence study that included 82 consecutive conventional Pap smears routinely stained with Pap stain was then subjected to silver stain in a microwave. Inclusion criteria: Pap smears reported as showing Candida group of organisms. Results: In the 82 smears evaluated, JM stain helped in easier picking up of additional coccobacillary flora in 37(45%) of cases in comparison to 4(4.87%).These coexisting infections were missed in conventional Pap smear reporting. Conclusion: Modified JM stain helped in diagnosing additional flora thus reducing the chances of missing out co-infections and hence is useful for providing effective treatment