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Inflammatory cells are often seen on routine cervical cytologic smears, but it is unclear how to interpret this finding. These authors evaluated 102 premenopausal women with a recent cytologic result showing inflammatory changes. The women underwent complete gynecologic, microbiologic, and colposcopic examinations.
Genital infections (such as gardnerella and candida) were found in 77 women, 22 of whom had sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, genital warts, trichomonas, and herpes simplex). Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were significantly more prevalent in women who were under age 25, single, or using nonbarrier contraception, or who had recently changed sexual partners. Colposcopy revealed abnormalities in 36 women, including h…