Abstract

SANCHEZ-HERNANDEZ, José Antonio; CASTELLANOS-VAZQUEZ, Sara  and  RIVERA-TAPIA, José Antonio. Leucorrhea as a sign of cervico-vaginal infections. Rev. costarric. salud pública [online]. 2013, vol.22, n.1, pp.56-60. ISSN 1409-1429.

Vaginal infections are one of the most common gynecological problems in women of reproductive age. Objective: To classify physiological and pathological leucorrhoea in patients investigated, in addition to analyzing whether the latter is due to cervico-vaginal infections. Methods: This research was performed with an open population of all patients who came to the cancer screening program (Pap) at the Cell Biology Laboratory of the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla from January 2001 to December 2012, where 1 679 vaginal samples were stained with the Papanicolaou stain set, modified for subsequent microscopic diagnosis. Results: Nine hundred twenty three were found to be positive for leucorrhea; of which 489 correspond to physiological leucorrhea and 285 to pathological leucorrhea; 149 are not located in any group. Discussion: Cervico-vaginal infections may occur in response to polymicrobial presence which colonizes the vaginal cavity; and this entails a set of signs and symptoms produced by nonspecific agents, among which is leucorrhoea as a clinical manifestation that motivates, in many case, a gynecological consultation. Among cervicovaginal infections, vaginitis is the most common cause of pathological vaginal discharge or leucorrhoea; followed by cervicitis; both of which are caused by various agents, of which we mention here those most frequently found.

Keywords : Leucorrhea; infection; Papanicolaou.

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