Sowing on flora from the cervical canal. The concept and purpose of bacterial culture in gynecology

Bacterial seeding, or tank for short. Sowing, by its name, implies the cultivation of microflora of bacteria of the human body in an external specialized environment for further analysis. Such a study shows what types of microorganisms are present in the microflora, their number and viability.

In gynecology tank. culture is one of the main tests, which is carried out both for preventive purposes and as prescribed. Let's look at it in more detail.

Why is the study prescribed?

The female genital organs are the habitat of many beneficial bacteria (mainly lactobacilli) and microorganisms that maintain internal balance and the necessary acidic environment, acting as a barrier to viruses and infections.

But sometimes, due to a number of factors, there are more pathogenic representatives of the flora than beneficial microorganisms, and a woman begins to notice certain unpleasant symptoms, an inflammatory process occurs, which may be the beginning of a more serious disease.

Tank. vaginal culture makes it possible to determine the composition of the microflora, and in the case of the presence of pathogenic microbes, various viruses and fungi, prescribe appropriate treatment. The need to identify a specific type of microorganism is explained by the fact that each of them is vulnerable to a specific drug and antibiotic.

Thus, the main purpose of the tank. culture in gynecology - identifying the presence and type of harmful bacteria in quantities higher than permissible, which cause diseases and inflammation, in order to prescribe proper and timely treatment.

It should be noted that small numbers of certain pathogenic organisms are tolerated in the cervical canal (vagina), e.g. coli. This is due to female physiology, which determines close proximity anus to the vagina.

For any tank. crops are used biological fluids the human body from a certain area (saliva, sputum, feces, urine, etc.). In gynecology, for these purposes, a smear is taken from the cervical canal in a certain way.

The entire procedure is quick and painless. As during a regular examination, a gynecological speculum is inserted into the vagina, and the doctor uses a special brush to remove the required layer of mucus from the surface of the walls. Next, the contents are placed in a prepared test tube, which provides sealing and a certain nutrient medium.

To obtain reliable and accurate results, it is necessary to transfer the material to the laboratory within the next few hours after collection, since the growth and reproduction of bacteria requires warmth and constant maintenance of favorable conditions. You can find out more by reading our new article.

Analysis results

The test results are prepared approximately 5-6 days after taking a smear. During this period, all microorganisms present will grow in sufficient quantity and size for research. In approximately a week, you will be able to get a report from the gynecologist on the tank you passed. sowing

Such a study of biomaterial shows the presence of each type of microorganism, as well as their quantity. If no pathogenic microorganisms are identified, but the number of beneficial bacteria is below normal, special means, normalizing the vaginal microflora. The lack of beneficial microorganisms further leads to infections and inflammations caused by various pathogens. The main beneficial representatives of the cervical canal are lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

The pathogenic environment is determined by the following commonly detected microorganisms:

Standard results tank. crops are characterized by assigned degrees of purity of the cervical canal. There are four of them, depending on the number of pathogenic bacteria present. The number of the latter is marked by colonies - separate sections clusters of their cells.

The analysis is considered negative in the absence of any type of “bad” microorganism, and positive if at least a minimal number of them is detected in the biological material.

Each degree of bacterial growth has its own characteristics:

Inflammatory and infectious processes begin to develop from the third degree of bacterial growth. This will also be evidenced by an exceeded normal limit for the leukocytes contained. In this case, immediate and appropriate treatment is required, in accordance with the identified family of the main causative agent of infection.

It is the determination of the sensitivity of microorganisms to specific antibiotic drugs that is the undoubted advantage of tank. sowing

Indications and preparation for the test

It is necessary to submit material for analysis following a number of rules that contribute to obtaining an accurate and reliable result.

These include:

Failure to comply with at least one of the above conditions can significantly distort the final data bacteriological research. From the outside medical personnel must also be respected established standards collecting material onto the tank. sowing:

The main indications for this type of analysis are:

Availability chronic diseases genitals;
frequent infectious and inflammatory processes;
annual scheduled examination for preventive purposes;
pregnancy planning, as well as its first trimester;
the appearance of disturbing and obvious symptoms (heavy discharge, pain, failure menstrual cycle and so on.);
postpartum care;
long-term therapy of gynecological diseases.

Harmful bacteria can multiply when certain factors occur, both individually and in combination. Among them are:

All this contributes to the entry and active reproduction of pathogenic bacteria, which can lead to serious problems with health in the absence of proper and timely treatment.

Women's health requires a lot of attention: regular examinations by a gynecologist and tests, including a smear from the cervical canal for bacteriological examination. Bacterial culture from the cervical canal is a microscopic examination to determine opportunistic microflora and its sensitivity to antibacterial and antiseptic drugs.

Bacteriological culture from the cervical canal is laboratory method studies of the microflora of the canal that connects the cervix and vagina. This flora smear is carried out when there is an increased level of white blood cells, which indicates possible inflammatory diseases genital organs of a woman, the causes of which may be bacteria, infections, fungi.

In addition, bacterial culture of microflora makes it possible to determine the resistance of pathogens to groups of antibacterial drugs. The data obtained during laboratory research make it possible to choose the right medications on which recovery depends.

An analysis of flora and sensitivity is taken using a special sterile brush from the cervical canal. For research, the gynecologist takes the secretion of local glands and the surface cells of the mucous membranes of the canal. Further biological material placed in a test tube containing a special nutrient medium for pathogenic microorganisms.

In the laboratory, the contents of the test tube are transferred to a Petri dish, which contains other nutritional conditions for microorganisms. The cup is transferred to a room with a special temperature, which is necessary for the development of pathogenic microflora, for up to 5 days. After that, bacterial culture is subject to study to determine whether the identified microorganisms belong to groups of pathogens, as well as sensitivity to antibiotics.

Indications and preparation

A bacterial culture from the cervical canal must be given to a woman:

During the annual scheduled preventive examination at the gynecologist.
At the stage of planning and preparation for pregnancy.
If you suspect inflammatory processes in the cervix.
If the flora smear contains cocci.
Smear on flora with increased rate leukocytes.
In case of relapse of inflammation of the cervix and vagina.

In order to obtain reliable data, the culture tank from the cervical canal must be properly prepared for the delivery of biological material. To do this you need:

The day before the test, exclude the use of local medicines and douching.
Avoid sexual intercourse 24 hours in advance.
Take a smear for flora after colposcopy no earlier than 48 hours later.
Conduct a bacteriological examination no earlier than 14 days after a course of antibacterial drugs.

Decoding indicators

The microflora of the female genital organs is not sterile, but already contains lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, the norm of which should not exceed 107. In the process of studying the flora, it is important to determine the type of pathogenic microorganisms:

Escherichia coli (Escherichia coli).
Enterococcus.
Staphylococcus and its varieties.
Citrobacter.
Proteus.
Gardnerella.
Trichomonas.
Gonococcus.
Leptothrix.
Fungal microorganisms.

E. coli present in the microflora of female genital organs within normal limits does not cause harm to female sexual health. If the indicator is exceeded, it indicates the presence of inflammatory processes and is an indication for antibacterial treatment. Treatment with antibiotics is also necessary for women whose flora smear shows the presence of one or more units of staphylococcus, gonococcus, trichomonas and others.

Moreover, regardless of the pathogens that were identified during the bacteriological study, they all go through the same stages of development. Decoding the result is based on this data.

Stage 1 - cocci and other pathological microorganisms are in the process of slow growth in a liquid medium.

Stage 2 - bacterial reproduction occurs on a hard surface, no more than 10 colonies.

Stage 3 - cocci are able to multiply from 10 to 100 colonies, which indicates the presence of an inflammatory disease.

Stage 4 - the number of bacteria is more than 100 on solid habitats.

Detected E. coli, staphylococcus in the cervical canal and other infections can be a consequence of:

violations metabolic processes in organism;
weakening of the body's immune forces;
non-compliance with hygiene standards;
hormonal imbalance;
inflammatory diseases of other organs of the genitourinary system;
hereditary pathology.

Study during pregnancy

Tank culture from the cervical canal during pregnancy is necessary research, the timely implementation of which will help protect the expectant mother and child from serious complications. First of all, an untreated infection can cause premature birth. It's connected with negative impact pathogenic microflora on the plug, which softens and can come off already in the second trimester of pregnancy.

If a pregnant woman managed to maintain her pregnancy, cocci and other infections detected in a smear of the cervical canal can cause disturbances in the process of intrauterine development of the fetus and lead to mutations or the birth of a child with abnormalities. Infection can occur after the plug comes out or during passage through the birth canal.

In connection with the above, it is important for a pregnant woman to be tested for bacterial culture of the microflora of the cervical canal. Taking biological material does not harm the fetus, since it is protected by a plug located at the entrance to the uterus.

Bacteriological seeding of the microflora of the cervical canal is carried out when increased quantity leukocytes, routine annual examination, pregnancy. Analysis allows you to determine pathogenic microflora and its sensitivity to antibiotics. Escherichia coli in a smear in small quantities does not cause harm; cocci and other infections indicate inflammatory processes in the cervix.

A cervical canal culture is a smear that is taken from reproductive organ women - the uterus in the cervix area (the area connecting the vagina and the uterine cavity). A smear from the cervical canal allows you to determine not only the composition of the microflora, but also the sensitivity of pathogens to various antibiotic drugs.

The culture of the pathogen obtained in this study is pure and can be accurately identified. At the same time, it is possible to identify pathogens such as enterobacteriaceae, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, different kinds mushrooms, etc.

Bacteriological culture is a secondary analysis that follows a general smear (to determine the degree of purity). If primary general analysis detects a lot of leukocytes, only then is a bacterial culture of the flora and its sensitivity to antibiotics prescribed, in order to simultaneously prescribe adequate treatment.

Reason high content leukocytes can act as diseases of organs in the pelvis: endometritis, cervicitis, adnexitis, etc.

How is a bacteriological culture taken?

A woman, upon arriving at the office, takes off her shoes, takes off her clothes and underwear from the waist down, and sits in a gynecological chair. First, a special mirror is inserted into the vagina, which helps control the process of treating the cervical canal with a special brush.

This technology for collecting material for examination from the cervix involves inserting a special probe (brush) directly into the cervical canal to a depth of approximately 0.5 to 1.5 cm.

The collected substance is placed in a test tube with a gel-like or liquid medium and hermetically sealed.

Pregnant women are also prescribed this smear. And worries about harming the embryo are in vain. Taking a smear cannot in any way provoke a miscarriage, because the cervical canal is quite long. And penetration thin instrument 0.5 cm into it - this is not dangerous in terms of threat to the health of the unborn child. This research is not mandatory. And to carry it out, appropriate testimony is needed.

The contents, which are taken with a sterile instrument, represent the cells and secretions of local glands, on which microflora is necessarily present. Then the collected material is lowered into a test tube, which contains a special nutrient medium for finding microorganisms. Fungi and bacteria, feeding on the substances necessary for life, begin to multiply. It is important not to destroy them at this stage by creating unsuitable conditions. Even their partial death will no longer be a guarantee of a complete cure for the patient.

There are nutrient media for which no special conditions are required until the test tube with the scraping arrives at the bacteriology laboratory. Therefore, the woman herself can deliver a tightly sealed test tube for testing.

However, most medical institutions practice an approach where the collected material from the cervical canal is placed in a test tube, closed and placed in a thermostat. The thermostat provides the temperature necessary for the growth of flora (37º). Transferring these tubes from the doctor's office to the laboratory also requires special conditions.

Arrived in bacteriological laboratory The tubes are uncorked, and the contents are removed and transferred to another medium placed in a Petri dish. The cup is placed in a thermostat and kept there for 3 to 5 days, allowing the bacteria to grow to the required extent. And after this they are separated, the intraspecific number of units is calculated, and tested for antibiotics.

Who should get tested for bacterial culture?

Bacteriological culture is indicated in the following situations:

scheduled annual examination;
inflammation in the cervix;
pregnancy planning;
detection of coccal flora in a smear;
the presence of a large number of leukocytes in the smear;
relapses inflammatory pathologies external genitalia and vagina.

How to prepare for research?

To obtain a reliable result it is required proper preparation for the analysis. Preparation includes:

refusal to douche and use any vaginal suppositories and creams about a day before sowing;
avoiding sexual intercourse for 24 hours before the test;
exclusion of the study for up to two days if colposcopy was performed;
Avoid taking antibiotics in the form of injections, tablets or droppers (about 2 weeks should pass from the time of antibiotic therapy before performing a culture test).

The period of menstruation at which the test is supposed to be taken should not fall during the period itself and on the 2 subsequent days after it.

Pregnant women cannot be excluded from undergoing the study, but only on the condition that the material for culture is collected directly by an obstetrician-gynecologist.

How to interpret the results of sowing?

Once the culture from the cervical canal has been obtained, the results will be known no earlier than 5 days later. This period is enough for the bacteria to grow.

The analysis form contains data on the bacteria inhabiting the cervical canal of the cervix. The analysis does not normally contain mushrooms. But lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are found (their number is at least 107). The presence of E. coli (10.2 enterococci) is acceptable.

In addition to the names of microorganisms and antibiotics (to which bacteria are sensitive), the number of microbes is noted. In accordance with this, the transcript can show one of 4 degrees of channel purity:

Bacterial growth occurs only in liquid media.
Bacteria also grow on solid media in the amount of 10 colonies of the species.
From 10 CFU to 100 on solid medium.
Over 100 CFU on solid media.

The reason for the deterioration of the microflora inside the cervical canal is the penetration of infection through the genital tract during sexual intercourse or during medical intervention in the vagina or uterus.

Hormonal disruptions, weakening of immune defense, inflammatory process in nearby organs, taking antibiotics, non-compliance with hygienic conditions.

What do tank cultures and smear cytology have in common?

Flora can also be determined when examining the cervical canal for cytology. However, it is not the subject of cytological examination.

The cytology of the smear in a situation with bacteriological culture cannot be studied. Bacterial culture is a method of detecting only yeast, diplococci, gardnerella and other microorganisms. And cytology shows morphological changes epithelial cells and represents a completely different direction laboratory diagnostics precancerous and cancerous conditions of the uterus and cervix. A correctly taken smear for cytology from the cervical canal normally reveals a cylindrical (prismatic) epithelium, not a large number of leukocytes and depleted microflora. The latter could penetrate here from lower located sections (for example, from the vagina).

The interpretation of the analysis for both flora and cytology is done by a doctor.

The above information is provided for informational purposes only, so that you have some idea of what is reflected on the analysis form.

It is known that microorganisms, despite their “small growth,” also have food “predilections,” an optimum temperature, in general, an environment that is ideal for them, where they feel comfortable and good, and therefore begin to multiply and grow intensively.

Bacteriological seeding or, as it is commonly called in short, tank seeding, is used to obtain a large number of microbes of one type (pure culture) in order to study their physicochemical and biological properties, so that later use the obtained data to diagnose infectious diseases.

Unfortunately, even the currently popular and other methods, the main disadvantage of which are false positive or false negative results, cannot always identify the pathogen. Moreover, they are unable to pick up antibacterial drugs directed action. A similar problem is solved by a sowing tank, which is often in no hurry to prescribe, citing the fact that, for example, it is slowly cultivated, and the cost of analysis is considerable. However, health is worth it!

Conditions are needed for nutrition and breathing

Microbiologists now know that each pathogen needs its own “native” environment, taking into account its pH, redox potentials, viscosity, humidity and osmotic properties. Media can be soft and hard, simple and complex, universal and not very universal, but in all cases they must provide nutrition, respiration, reproduction and growth of the bacterial cell.

an example of the growth of microorganisms after tank sowing in a nutrient medium

Some media (thioglycolate, Sabouraud) are suitable for a wide range of microorganisms and are called universal. Others are intended only for certain species, such as pneumococcus and Staphylococcus aureus, producing hemolysins, grow on blood agar, which serves to isolate particularly “capricious” and, at the same time, dangerous strains. Thus, there are many types of media, where each of them grows its own range of microorganisms.

The purpose of cultivating microorganisms and its significance for diagnosis

In addition to water, air, soil, which contain various microorganisms in varying concentrations, including those that bring disease (pathogenic), many industries medical science interested in microbes living on the skin and mucous membranes of the human body, which can be represented by:

Permanent inhabitants, not bearing any danger to humans, that is, normal microflora organism, without which we simply cannot live. For example, the disappearance of bacteria living in the intestines and participating in the digestion process leads to dysbiosis, which is not easy to treat. The same thing happens with disappearance. vaginal microflora. It is immediately populated conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, gardnerella, for example, which cause;
Opportunistic pathogenic flora, which is harmful only in large quantities under certain conditions (immunodeficiency). The above-mentioned gardnerella is a representative of this type of microorganism;
Presence of pathogenic microbes, which in healthy body are not present. They are alien to the human body, where they enter accidentally through contact with another (sick) person and cause the development of an infectious process, sometimes quite severe or even fatal. For example, a meeting with pathogens - no matter what, it is treated at first, but (God forbid!) it will release cholera, plague, smallpox, etc.

Fortunately, many of them have been defeated and are currently kept under seal in special laboratories, but humanity must be prepared at any moment for the invasion of an invisible enemy capable of destroying entire nations. Bacteriological culture in such cases plays, perhaps, the main role in identifying the microorganism, that is, determining the genus, species, type, etc. (toxiconomic position), which is very important for diagnosis infectious processes, including sexually transmitted diseases.

Thus, sowing methods, like nutrient media, are different, however, they have the same goal: obtain a pure culture without foreign impurities in the form of microbes of other classes, which live everywhere: in water, in the air, on surfaces, on and inside humans.

When is tank sowing prescribed and how to understand the answers?

Name of microorganism and its quantity

Patients do not prescribe bacteriological analysis to themselves; this is done by the doctor if he has suspicions that the problems of a patient presenting various complaints are associated with the penetration of a pathogenic pathogen into the body or with the increased reproduction of microorganisms that constantly live with a person, but exhibit pathogenic properties only in certain conditions. Having passed the test and after some time received an answer, a person gets lost and sometimes gets scared when he sees incomprehensible words and symbols, therefore, to prevent this from happening, I would like to give a brief explanation on this issue:

When examining biological material for the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, the answer can be negative or positive (“bad tank culture”), since the human body is only a temporary refuge for them, and not natural environment a habitat.

Sometimes, depending on what material is to be inoculated, you can see the number of microorganisms expressed in colony-forming units per ml (one living cell will grow a whole colony) - CFU/ml. For example, urine culture for bacteriological examination under normal conditions gives up to 10 3 CFU/ml of all identified bacterial cells; in doubtful cases (repeat the analysis!) – 10 3 – 10 4 CFU/ml; inflammatory process infectious origin – 10 5 and higher CFU/ml. About the last two options in colloquial speech, sometimes they are simply expressed: “Bad tank sowing.”

How to “find control” against a pathogenic microorganism?

Simultaneously with the inoculation of the material in such situations, the microflora is inoculated for sensitivity to antibiotics, which will give a clear answer to the doctor - which antibacterial drugs and in what doses will “scare” the “uninvited guest”. There is also a decryption here, for example:

The type of microorganism, for example, is the same E. coli in an amount of 1x10^6;
The name of the antibiotic with the designation (S) indicates the sensitivity of the pathogen to this drug;
The type of antibiotics that do not act on the microorganism is indicated by the symbol (R).

Bacteriological analysis is of particular value in determining sensitivity to antibiotics, since the main problem in the fight against chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, etc. remains selection effective treatment, which does not harm the body and does not put a dent in the patient’s pocket.

Table: Alternative example of tank culture results identifying effective antibiotics

Proper preparation for bacteriological analysis is the key to reliable results

Any biological material taken from a person can be subjected to bacteriological analysis(skin, blood, sperm, mucous membranes oral cavity, respiratory and genitourinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, organs of vision, hearing and smell, etc.). Most often, tank culture is prescribed by gynecologists and urologists, so we should dwell on it a little.

Proper preparation for bacteriological culture will be the key correct result, because otherwise, you will have to take the test again and wait for the appointed time. How to donate blood from a vein for sterility is the task of health workers. As a rule, nothing depends on the patient here; he simply provides the elbow bend, and the nurse takes the sample into a sterile tube in compliance with all the rules of asepsis and antisepsis.

Another thing is urine or from the genital tract. Here the patient must ensure the first stage (collection), following the prescribed rules. It should be noted that the urine of women and men is somewhat different, although in bladder in both sexes it is sterile:

In women, when passing through urethra may capture small numbers of non-pathogenic cocci, although overall it often remains sterile;
For men, things are a little different. The anterior part of the urethra can supply passing urine with:
1. diphtheroids;
2. staphylococci;
3. some non-pathogenic gram-negative bacteria, as will subsequently be shown by bacteriological analysis.

However, if they are in an acceptable concentration (up to 10 3 CFU/ml), then there is nothing to be afraid of, this is a variant of the norm.

To avoid the presence of other microorganisms and to ensure maximum sterility of the material taken, before the analysis, the genital organs are thoroughly cleaned (the entrance to the vagina in women is closed with a cotton swab - protection from the ingress of genital secretions). For analysis, an average portion of urine is taken (the beginning of urination into the toilet, approximately 10 ml average portion in a sterile jar, ending in the toilet). Patients need to know: urine taken for culture must be processed no later than two hours when stored at no higher than 20°C, so transportation time should be calculated.

In addition, material for the seed tank, if necessary, is taken from the urethra and rectum in men, from the urethra, rectum, vagina, cervix and cervical canal in women, but this occurs in medical institution, where the patient should arrive. Washing, douching and use antiseptics in such cases it is prohibited.

Other issues of concern to patients

Many patients are interested in how many days the analysis is done. This question cannot be answered unequivocally; it all depends on what material is being studied and what pathogen should be looked for. Sometimes the answer is ready in 3 days, sometimes in a week or even 10 - 14 days, since some samples require subculture to another medium.

People heading to tank sowing do not ignore the question of the price of analysis. The approximate cost in Moscow is about 800 – 1500 rubles. Of course, it can be higher and depends on the breadth of the spectrum of bacteriological search. You can probably get a free test during pregnancy at a antenatal clinic, or at a clinic for special medical reasons.

For pregnant women, tank sowing is mandatory, it is given 2 times(at registration and at 36 weeks), in this case, a smear is taken not only from the genital tract, but also from the mucous membranes of the nose and pharynx. The object of search in this case, in addition to urogenital infections, will be Staphylococcus aureus, which in postpartum period can cause a lot of trouble (purulent mastitis, etc.). In addition, pregnant women are required to undergo urine culture, scraping of the vaginal epithelium and smears from the cervix and cervical canal.

Many women, before going for the procedure, are very afraid of such terrible words and begin to think: “Is this necessary? Maybe I won’t go.” We hasten to assure you that the tests are absolutely painless. A smear from the cervix and cervical canal is taken with a sterile cytobrush, without causing the woman absolutely any pain, but subsequently the culture tank from sh/m and c/c will protect and expectant mother, and the fruit from possible complications. The objects of search during pregnancy are the causative agents of chlamydia, urea and mycoplasma, yeast-like (usually Candida albicans), and other opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms.

Video: video demonstration on tank culture from the cervical canal

Special cases of particular interest to those taking tests

Once pathogenic microorganisms enter the genital tract, they a short time become accustomed and begin their harmful activities. For example, always pathogenic gonococci (Neisseria), which are the culprits of a rather unpleasant disease called and related to STDs, feel “at home” literally on the 3rd day. They begin to actively reproduce and boldly move upward along the reproductive tract, capturing more and more new territories. Everyone knows that gonorrhea can now be treated well and almost no one is afraid of it anymore. But first you need to find her. The main method of searching for this infection is culture, culture, identification using Gram staining, and microscopy.

“Coffee beans” (diplococci) found in pairs in a smear taken “for flora” from the genital tract do not indicate the presence of a sexually transmitted disease. Such vaginal microflora often appears in postmenopause and does not mean anything bad. A smear taken under non-sterile conditions on a glass slide and stained with methylene blue or Romanovsky (cytology) cannot differentiate the microorganism. He can only make a guess and refer the patient to additional research(obtaining an isolated culture).

It should be noted that while scrapings from the mucous membranes of the genitourinary tract taken for culture for ureaplasma are not such a rare occurrence, then doctors themselves often avoid urine culture, since it is more difficult to work with.

Difficulties in diagnosis are created by bringing great harm not only during pregnancy. In addition, chlamydia causes many diseases that are characteristic not only of women, but also of the male population, so it is sown, cultivated, studied, and sensitivity to antibacterial therapy and thus fight it.

During pregnancy, it is generally difficult to do without bacteriological culture, since many microorganisms, masquerading in cytological smear, may be missed. Meanwhile, the effect of some STD pathogens on the fetus can be detrimental. In addition, treating a pregnant woman is much more difficult, and prescribing antibiotics “by eye” is simply unacceptable.

Sowing methods

To isolate pure cultures of pathogens, the first stage is to inoculate them on appropriate media, which is carried out under special (sterile!) conditions. Basically, the transfer of material to the medium is carried out using devices used back in the 19th century by the great Louis Pasteur:

Bacterial loop;
Pasteur pipette;
Glass rod.

Of course, many instruments have undergone changes over 2 centuries, replaced by sterile and disposable plastic ones, however, the old ones have not remained in the past, continuing to serve microbiological science to this day.

The first stage of obtaining colonies requires compliance with certain rules:

Sowing is carried out over an alcohol lamp in a box pre-treated with disinfectants and quartz treatment, or in a laminar flow hood, ensuring sterility in the work area;
The health worker's clothing, gloves and environment must also be sterile, since the opposite interferes with the isolation of isolated strains;
You need to work quickly but carefully in the box; you cannot talk or be distracted; at the same time, you must remember about personal safety, because the material can be infectious.

Isolation of strains and study of pure cultures

Isolation of strains is not always the same, since some biological environments located in human body require an individual approach, for example, hemoculture (blood) is first “grown” a little in a liquid medium (ratio 1: 10), since blood (undiluted) can kill microorganisms, and then, after a day or more, it is transferred to Petri dishes.

Sowing urine, gastric lavage waters and other liquid materials also has its own characteristics, where in order to obtain a pure culture, the liquid must first be centrifuged (aseptic conditions!), and only then sowed, not the liquid itself, but its sediment.

Cultivation and growing of colonies is carried out on Petri dishes or placed first in a liquid medium poured into sterile bottles, and then the isolated colonies are sown again, but on slanted agar and the material is placed in a thermostat for a day. After making sure that the resulting culture is pure, the strains are transferred to a glass slide, a smear is made and stained with Gram (most often), Ziehl-Neelsen, etc., and for differentiation, the morphology of the microbe is studied under a microscope:

Size and shape of the bacterial cell;
Presence of capsules, flagella, spores;
Tinctorial properties (relationship of microorganism to staining)*.

*The reader has probably heard of such a pathogen as treponema pallidum? This is the causative agent of syphilis, and its name (pale) is why it appears that it does not perceive paint well and remains slightly pinkish when stained according to Romanovsky. Microorganisms that do not accept aniline dyes are called gram-negative, and those that perceive are called gram-positive. Gram-negative bacteria are given a pink or red color when stained with Gram by additional dyes (fuchsin, safranin).

Tank culture can be called an ancient analysis, but its popularity does not decrease because of this, although modern bacteriology has the ability to isolate not only strains, but also a separate cell from it, which is called clone. However, to obtain a clone, a special device is required - a micromanipulator, which is not available in ordinary laboratories, since it is used mainly for research purposes (genetic research).

When two cherished stripes finally appear on the test, it seems that there is now no reason to worry. You can relax and enjoy the happy period of waiting for the baby. However, you need to constantly keep your finger on the pulse, especially for expectant mothers who become pregnant after long-term treatment.

In order for the picture to be complete and clear, it is necessary to regularly take tests and conduct studies prescribed by your doctor. One of the most important studies throughout pregnancy is bacterial culture from the cervical canal. The condition of the cervical canal determines how successful the outcome of the pregnancy will be. It is there that a large number of dangerous pathogenic microorganisms accumulate, from Klebsiella to E. coli. Their identification on early stage and subsequent treatment guarantee the birth of a healthy baby.

The meaning of the cervical canal

The cervical canal is a kind of bridge from the cervix to the vagina. Doctors call it the pharynx. During menstruation, blood clots pass through it, and through it the sperm moves to the egg. The average channel width is 7-8 mm. These values may vary from age-related changes, presence of infections urinary tract, states hormonal levels women. Pregnancy adds its own adjustments to the usual life of the cervical canal.

U expectant mother the length of the cervical canal reaches 3.5 - 4 cm, provided that the length of the cervix is at least 2 cm. Both ends of the pharynx must be closed. Based on their condition and degree of openness, the doctor determines the approach of labor. It is in this area of the female reproductive system that a plug is formed, which throughout the entire 9 months separates the placenta and baby from the effects of harmful factors. external environment. A few weeks before giving birth, the plug comes off. From now on, mothers listen more carefully to their well-being. As soon as the baby begins to move along birth canal, the pharynx expands to almost 10 cm.

If the period is still very short, the cervical canal acquires a bluish color, signaling that there is pregnancy.

Why is a bacterial culture test prescribed?

Culture from the cervical canal during pregnancy is one of the most effective and informative methods condition of the genital organs of a pregnant woman. It is this that shows the presence of pathogenic flora or the body’s reaction to taking antibiotics. Having received the results, the doctor will immediately be able to select individual treatment. Sowing is also carried out to study beneficial lacto- and bifidobacteria.

This type of analysis is not prescribed to everyone. When registering a future woman in labor, any gynecologist will take a general smear from her. Under conditions of increased leukocyte content, it is advisable to take a smear from the cervical canal. This is due to the fact that high percent leukocytes indicates current inflammation in the body of a pregnant woman. Only additional analysis will help identify the exact cause.

Controversy surrounding analysis

You can often hear concerns from expectant mothers about taking a smear from the cervical canal. This is due to the analysis procedure itself. Since the probe for taking biomaterial is inserted inside 0.1 -1.5 cm deep, the question involuntarily arises whether this will lead to a miscarriage or some other pathology on the part of the fetus. Absolutely any obstetrician-gynecologist will assure you of the safety of this study, but without special reasons will not assign it to you. Strictly according to indications!

The procedure for taking biomaterial takes less than a minute. Before taking a biosample, a Cusco speculum is inserted into the vagina, and then a brush is inserted into the cervical canal to a depth of 2 cm. The resulting sample is immersed in a sealed container with a gel-like liquid and sent to the laboratory for decoding. However, before the material comes under the microscopic eye, it is provided with all the favorable conditions for the growth of microorganisms in it.

Preparing for the study

To ensure that the analysis picture is transparent and does not raise questions for the doctor observing you, careful preparation is necessary. Distorted result is the way to improper treatment and unpleasant consequences.

It is better to start preparing for the analysis a few days in advance, and if possible, 1-2 weeks in advance.

Stop taking any antibacterial drugs.
Don't douche.
Eliminate the use of contraceptives vaginal suppositories and creams.
A day before the study, stop having sex.
If a colposcopy or other diagnostic procedures with the introduction of mirrors into the uterine cavity, it is better to postpone the study for a while.
Immediately before taking a smear, do not go to the toilet for minor needs and do not wash yourself.

Important! Pregnant women this procedure This can only be done by a gynecologist with sufficient experience.

The results are ready 4-5 days after taking the material.

What does the result say?

A normal culture in a pregnant woman should contain only beneficial bacteria- lacto and bifido. Doctors admit the presence of a small percentage of E. coli. It should not exceed 10^2. There shouldn't be any mushrooms.

We can talk about pathology if the following microorganisms are present in the smear:

E. coli beyond the normal range;
yeasts, especially mycelium and or Candida;
staphylococcus of all types;
gonococcus;
Trichomonas;
gardnerella;

Expectant mothers should know that this type of research does not detect ureaplase, chlamydia and mycoplasia, since it simply “does not see” them.

Pathogenic bacteria grow at different rates, and this determines what diagnosis the woman will be given.

If the danger level is first or second, when bacteria grow slowly and weakly and are present only in a liquid medium, then this is a signal of a contaminated nutrient medium.

An active inflammatory process is indicated by bacteria that grow in excess of 100 colonies on a solid medium. This can be the result of anything: poor hygiene, hereditary diseases, weakened immunity. Such data helps the specialist take the right measures to “save” the patient.

Taking a culture sample from the cervical canal is an important step in diagnosing a pregnant woman. It helps to avoid irreparable problems in the future. Finding and neutralizing it at an early stage is much better than treating an advanced one. Sometimes this is impossible. Any girl or woman needs to think about a thorough examination at the stage of pregnancy planning, which will help give birth to a healthy toddler.