Endocervical gram stain

Definition

Gram stain is a method of identifying bacteria using a special series of stains. In this test, a specimen from the cervix is stained and then examined under the microscope.

The gram stain method can be applied to almost any specimen and is one of the most commonly used techniques for the rapid diagnosis of bacterial infections.

Alternative Names

Gram stain of cervix

Why the Endocervical gram stain is Performed

The test is used to detect and identify abnormal bacteria in the area involving the cervix. If signs of an infection develop or a sexually transmitted disease (such as gonorrhea) is suspected, this test can help with confirmation and identification of an abnormal organism.

How the Endocervical gram stain is Performed

A tissue sample is obtained from the lining of the cervical canal (the opening to the uterus). You lie on your back with your feet in stirrups (devices that support your feet and help keep you in proper position).

As in a regular pelvic examination, a speculum (an instrument used to stretch open the vagina in order to better examine some of the pelvic organs) will be inserted and opened slightly.

The cervix is cleaned so there is no mucus. A dry, sterile swab is then inserted and rotated within the cervical canal. It may be left in place for several seconds to absorb as many of the organisms as possible.

The swab is then removed and sent to a laboratory where it will be smeared on a slide. A series of stains called a gram stain is applied to the specimen. It is first stained with crystal violet stain, then iodine, then decolorized, then stained with safranin.

The stained smear is then examined under the microscope for the presence of bacteria. The color, size, and morphologic appearance (shape) of the cells help identify the infecting organism.

How to Prepare for the Endocervical gram stain

Do not douche for 24 hours before the procedure.

How the Endocervical gram stain Will Feel

There may be minor discomfort during specimen collection. This procedure feels very much like a routine Pap smear.

Risks

There is virtually no risk.

Considerations

If gonorrhea or another sexually transmitted infection is present, it is very important that all sexual partners of the infected person receive treatment also, even if there are no symptoms.

Normal Results

There are no abnormal bacteria present. Note that the normal cervix has "friendly" bacteria that should be seen by gram stain.

What Abnormal Results Mean

• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Yeast infection

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed include gonococcal arthritis, in order to determine the site of the initial infection.

Email to a Friend

Typical mistypes for Endocervical gram stain
wndocervical gram stain, sndocervical gram stain, dndocervical gram stain, rndocervical gram stain, 4ndocervical gram stain, 3ndocervical gram stain, ebdocervical gram stain, emdocervical gram stain, ejdocervical gram stain, ehdocervical gram stain, ensocervical gram stain, enxocervical gram stain, encocervical gram stain, enfocervical gram stain, enrocervical gram stain, eneocervical gram stain, endicervical gram stain, endkcervical gram stain, endlcervical gram stain, endpcervical gram stain, end0cervical gram stain, end9cervical gram stain, endoxervical gram stain, endovervical gram stain, endofervical gram stain, endodervical gram stain, endocwrvical gram stain, endocsrvical gram stain, endocdrvical gram stain, endocrrvical gram stain, endoc4rvical gram stain, endoc3rvical gram stain, endoceevical gram stain, endocedvical gram stain, endocefvical gram stain, endocetvical gram stain, endoce5vical gram stain, endoce4vical gram stain, endocercical gram stain, endocerbical gram stain, endocergical gram stain, endocerfical gram stain, endocervucal gram stain, endocervjcal gram stain, endocervkcal gram stain, endocervocal gram stain, endocerv9cal gram stain, endocerv8cal gram stain, endocervixal gram stain, endocervival gram stain, endocervifal gram stain, endocervidal gram stain, endocerviczl gram stain, endocervicsl gram stain, endocervicwl gram stain, endocervicql gram stain, endocervicak gram stain, endocervicap gram stain, endocervicao gram stain, endocervical fram stain, endocervical vram stain, endocervical bram stain, endocervical hram stain, endocervical yram stain, endocervical tram stain, endocervical geam stain, endocervical gdam stain, endocervical gfam stain, endocervical gtam stain, endocervical g5am stain, endocervical g4am stain, endocervical grzm stain, endocervical grsm stain, endocervical grwm stain, endocervical grqm stain, endocervical gran stain, endocervical grak stain, endocervical graj stain, endocervical gram atain, endocervical gram ztain, endocervical gram xtain, endocervical gram dtain, endocervical gram etain, endocervical gram wtain, endocervical gram srain, endocervical gram sfain, endocervical gram sgain, endocervical gram syain, endocervical gram s6ain, endocervical gram s5ain, endocervical gram stzin, endocervical gram stsin, endocervical gram stwin, endocervical gram stqin, endocervical gram staun, endocervical gram stajn, endocervical gram stakn, endocervical gram staon, endocervical gram sta9n, endocervical gram sta8n, endocervical gram staib, endocervical gram staim, endocervical gram staij, endocervical gram staih, ndocervical gram stain, edocervical gram stain, enocervical gram stain, endcervical gram stain, endoervical gram stain, endocrvical gram stain, endocevical gram stain, endocerical gram stain, endocervcal gram stain, endocervial gram stain, endocervicl gram stain, endocervica gram stain, endocervicalgram stain, endocervical ram stain, endocervical gam stain, endocervical grm stain, endocervical gra stain, endocervical gramstain, endocervical gram tain, endocervical gram sain, endocervical gram stin, endocervical gram stan, endocervical gram stai, nedocervical gram stain, ednocervical gram stain, enodcervical gram stain, endcoervical gram stain, endoecrvical gram stain, endocrevical gram stain, endocevrical gram stain, endocerivcal gram stain, endocervcial gram stain, endocerviacl gram stain, endocervicla gram stain, endocervica lgram stain, endocervicalg ram stain, endocervical rgam stain, endocervical garm stain, endocervical grma stain, endocervical gra mstain, endocervical grams tain, endocervical gram tsain, endocervical gram satin, endocervical gram stian, endocervical gram stani, eendocervical gram stain, enndocervical gram stain, enddocervical gram stain, endoocervical gram stain, endoccervical gram stain, endoceervical gram stain, endocerrvical gram stain, endocervvical gram stain, endocerviical gram stain, endocerviccal gram stain, endocervicaal gram stain, endocervicall gram stain, endocervical gram stain, endocervical ggram stain, endocervical grram stain, endocervical graam stain, endocervical gramm stain, endocervical gram stain, endocervical gram sstain, endocervical gram sttain, endocervical gram staain, endocervical gram staiin, endocervical gram stainn, etc.