[Unusual cytologic aspects of cervico-vaginal trichomoniasis. Study of cervico-vaginal smears stained by the Papanicolaou's method].

Trichomonas vaginalis has been recognized by cytologists in Papanicolaou-stained smears of cervical and vaginal secretions for some years. The highest percentage of positive Trichomonas vaginalis detection was obtained with this technique. Classical cytologic aspects of Trichomonas vaginalis infection on Papanicolaou-stained smears have been commonly reported: cytoplasmic alterations with amphophilia, eosinophilia, perinuclear halo, vacuolisation; nuclear abnormalities with pycnosis, dysplasia-like atypia. These cytologic changes represented the indirect cytologic signs of Trichomonas vaginalis infection. But for some authors, they might constitute a possible relationship between the incidence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection and epithelial cell atypia or carcinoma.