Comparison of Liquid-Based Cytology and Conventional Pap Smear Concerning Detectability of Cervicovaginal Infectious Agents

Abstract

Introduction: The present study aims to compare Conventional Pap smear (CPS) and Liquid-based Cytology (LBC) results concerning detectability of cervicovaginal infectious agents. Methods: The results of cervical cancer screening tests performed between 2005 and 2017 in a tertiary center in Istanbul were analyzed retrospectively. For this study, bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida, Actinomyces and Herpes simplex virus were evaluated as infectious agents of cervicovaginal infection. Results: Smear results of 60014 women between the ages of 21-65 were examined. CPS technique was used in 58979 of these, and the LBC technique in 1035. Infectious agent was detected in 8.6% of CPS and 8% of LBC (p=0.503). Bacterial vaginosis was detected in 3.459 (5.9%) women using CPC technique and 43 (4.1%) women using LBC technique (p=0.003). While Trichomonas vaginalis, Actinomyces and Herpes simplex in CPS technique were detected in 249 (0.4%), 62 (0.1%) and four (0.0%) women, respectively, these agents were not seen with LBC (p=0.034; p=0.627; p=NS, respectively). Candida was detected in 1.342 (2.3%) and 40 (3.9%) women in CPS and LBC techniques, respectively (p