Leukocytes in the smear - the norm

Before taking material for reliable results, it is necessary to observe certain requirements:

for 1-2 days to refuse from sexual contacts;
for a few days to cancel the reception of medicines unconformable with the doctor, douching;
Before visiting a doctor, hygiene of the genitals should be done only with the help of warm water;
the last urination at least 2 to 3 hours before taking the smear.

The material is collected using a special spatula using a gynecological mirror. For a microscopic examination, swabs from the vagina and cervix are taken. These samples are applied to slides.

Normally, in a smear, the flora is determined by:

flat epithelium;
leukocytes;
sticks (lactobacilli).

If the genitourinary system has infectious inflammatory processes, then the smear can detect:

Candida fungus;
cocci;
Trichomonas;
Staphylococcus aureus, etc.

One of the most important indicators of smear analysis is leukocytes. These are cells of the immune system that have protective functions against infection. Normally, a healthy woman in the smear analysis shows single white blood cells - up to 15 in the field of vision (depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle). Increased content (up to several tens and hundreds) of these cells indicates an infection of the genitourinary system and an inflammatory process.

Along with the increase in the number of leukocytes in the smear analysis, an increased number of pathogenic bacteria or fungi is usually found.

Causes

The reason for the increase in the number of leukocytes can be:

Sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis, gonorrhea, ureaplasmosis, genital herpes, etc.);
cervicitis;
colpitis;
urethritis;
endometritis;
malignant formations and some others.

Exceeding the norm of leukocytes indicates the presence of an inflammatory process, but for the purpose of treatment it is required to identify the causative agent of the disease. Therefore, additional laboratory studies are often required. The doctor can prescribe bakposev, PCR diagnostics, immunological tests.

If after the treatment the norm of the number of white blood cells in the smear is still exceeded, or additional tests do not show the presence of pathogenic flora, this may indicate a vaginal dysbiosis. That is, the relationship between the microorganisms of the microflora is disturbed, possibly because of the use of antibiotics.

Another reason why the white blood cells in the smear is exceeded is a violation of the rules for sampling a smear or a laboratory technician error.

Analysis of the smear on flora in pregnant women - the norm of leukocytes

During pregnancy, smear analysis is performed regularly, since the infection in this period is most dangerous. The number of white blood cells in the smear in pregnant women is slightly exceeded - up to 15-20 units.

Quite a frequent reason to detect the number of white blood cells in the smear above the norm during pregnancy is vaginal candidiasis (thrush). This disease occurs more often due to a change in the hormonal background, against a background of lower overall immunity.