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Conjunctival impression cytology in trachoma
Author(s) -
Gangane Nitin,
Venkataramanan V. R.,
Patil Vidyadhar M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.20980
Subject(s) - trachoma , medicine , squamous metaplasia , cytology , conjunctiva , metaplasia , basophilic , pathology , dermatology , epithelium
Trachoma is one of the leading causes of blindness and clinical examination remains the mainstay of diagnosis. However there is need to evaluate simple, inexpensive techniques which can be used for screening of trachoma in endemic regions. We report two cases where conjunctival impression cytology played a part in confirming the diagnosis of trachoma. We used a modified technique of obtaining conjunctival impressions, which not only met with better patient compliance and minimal ocular distress, but also provided better cellularity and morphology of cells for evaluation. The impression smears showed squamous metaplasia and loss of goblet cells. The cytoplasm of these cells had a hazy, moth eaten appearance and showed presence of intracytoplasmic inclusions. These basophilic inclusions were present singly and in clusters and were around 5 μm in diameter. A large number of these inclusions were present extracellularly as well. Conjunctival impression cytology is a simple procedure which needs to be evaluated for its potential to be used for screening trachoma in endemic areas. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.