What is Wet mount preparation for Candida?

A vaginal wet mount also called a vaginal smear or wet mount preparation is a gynaecologic test to find the cause of vaginitis or inflammation of the vagina and the area around the vagina. A common cause for vaginitis is a yeast infection. A vaginal yeast infection is caused by a type of yeast called Candida albicans. A yeast infection is also called a candida infection, or candidiasis. This infection often causes itching and a white, lumpy discharge that looks like cottage cheese. Other causes of vaginitis could be trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis, which can also be detected by the wet mount.

Preparation

In addition to informing the practitioner about your medical history, the following have to be considered prior to a vaginal mount test: Although no prior preparation is required, it is advisable that the patient inform the practitioner about the following prior to the testing: Do not douche (vaginal irrigation), use tampons, have sex or use vaginal medicines for 24 -48 hours before the test The test is not done during menstrual periods as menstrual blood impacts the results Inform the practitioner if you are pregnant or may be pregnant Wear comfortable clothing as you need to change to a hospital gown

Uses

The vaginal wet mount test as mentioned earlier is used to detect the cause of vaginitis, including the yeast infection, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis. This test is also used for further additional tests for a more definitive diagnosis of vaginitis such as the KOH Slide test and Vaginal PH test. The KOH slide test helps in easier detection of yeast cells and confirmation of yeast infection. It can also be used for detecting atrophic vaginitis and for vaginal culture. This test is not used for the diagnosis of other sexually transmitted vaginal infections.

Procedure

The sampling is done with the patient in lithotomy position (lying down and having legs in stirrups). The examiner will then use a speculum and insert a swab or spatula to collect sample fluid inside the vagina. The sampling procedure may cause some discomfort and minor bleeding, but otherwise there are no associated risks. The sample is then smeared upon a microscope slide and is observed by wet mount microscopy by placing the specimen on a glass slide and mixing with a salt solution. A positive diagnosis for yeast infection is made if pseudohyphae or yeast buds are present.

Limitations

Failure to obtain adequate ectocervical, endocervical, or vaginal cell population is suboptimal for evaluation. Excessive use of lubricating jelly on the vaginal speculum will interfere with cytologic examination and may lead to unsatisfactory Pap results. All powder should be wiped off gloves before spatulas are handled since presence of starch granules will make interpretation of slides difficult. Inflammatory reaction may preclude hormonal evaluation. A very significant proportion of adenocarcinomas of endometrium are not detected by this means. Occasionally, highly differentiated adenocarcinomas of endocervix can be missed. Occasional aggressive lesions of squamous epithelium of cervix can be missed, especially if patient has only a single examination.