Clue cell
Encyclopedia
Clue cells are epithelial cells of the vagina
that get their distinctive stippled appearance by being covered with bacteria
.
They are a medical sign
of bacterial vaginosis
, particularly that caused by Gardnerella vaginalis, a group of Gram-variable bacteria. This bacterial infection gives a foul, fishy smelling yellow/grey frothy vaginal discharge, also the vaginal pH
is increased above 5.5. Normal vaginal pH varies around 4.5.
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
that get their distinctive stippled appearance by being covered with bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
.
They are a medical sign
Medical sign
A medical sign is an objective indication of some medical fact or characteristic that may be detected by a physician during a physical examination of a patient....
of bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis or less commonly vaginal bacteriosis is a disease of the vagina caused by bacteria. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states it is not clear what role sexual activity plays in the development. However, it is known that BV is associated with having a new sex...
, particularly that caused by Gardnerella vaginalis, a group of Gram-variable bacteria. This bacterial infection gives a foul, fishy smelling yellow/grey frothy vaginal discharge, also the vaginal pH
PH
In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at . Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline...
is increased above 5.5. Normal vaginal pH varies around 4.5.
External links
- Overview at WebMDWebMDWebMD is an American corporation which provides health information services. It was founded in 1996 by Jim Clark and Pavan Nigam as Healthscape, later Healtheon, and then acquired WebMD in 1999 to form Healtheon/WebMD...
- Photo at University of WashingtonUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
- Photo at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Photo at hrsa.gov