Clinical Significance of Identifying Candida on Cervicovaginal (Pap) Smears

This study was undertaken to determine the clinical significance of detecting candida on Pap smear. Clinical information was obtained from a questionnaire sent to the health care provider whenever candida was identified during the study period. Candida was identified in 309 (3.0%) of the 10,370 Pap smears examined. Completed questionnaires were returned on 137 (44.3%) patients. All 137 smears were reviewed. Ninety-nine (72%) patients were asymptomatic, 29 (21%) had symptoms typical of candida infection, and nine (7%) had nonspecific symptoms. Forty-four (32%) patients had been treated for candida during the original clinic visit. After the Pap smear reported candida, 19 (20%) of the 93 nontreated patients were contacted and treated, while 10 (11%) were scheduled for further evaluation. No action was taken on the remaining 64 (69%) patients. There was a significant association between having initial symptoms and receiving immediate treatment (P \u3c 0.001) and undergoing subsequent treatment or further evaluation after the Pap smear report (P \u3c 0.001). Marked inflammation was statistically associated with symptoms (P = 0.014), but the form or number of candida organisms was not. In conclusion, the identification of Candida on Pap smear does not necessarily indicate a symptomatic infection, although the Pap smear results had a direct impact on the treatment of 21% of patients in this study and served as a confirmation for clinical treatment in another 32% who had received such treatment at the time of the original visit