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Test Code WETPR Vaginal Wet Prep

Important Note

  • Specimen stability is established due to Trichomonas viability.
    • For sterile swab placed in 0.5 mL of sterile physiological saline solution specimens’ stability is limited to 15 minutes.
    • If a provider requires results on a specimen that is past stability, Pathologist must be consulted.
  • Refrigeration of specimens should be avoided.

Additional Codes

Cerner

NextGen

Wet Prep Vagina

Wet Prep Vagina

Useful For

Examinations of vaginal secretion wet preparations (Wet Prep) aid in the diagnosis of conditions

such as bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, and trichomoniasis.

Methodology

The Wet Prep is a semi-quantitative and qualitative screening test performed by examination of

vaginal secretions using direct microscopy. The specimen is examined under x10 and x40

power lens for the presence of WBC, RBC, Epithelial Cells, Clue Cells, Spermatozoa, Yeast,

and Trichomonas.

Patient Preparation

Use of lubricants should be avoided during specimen collection.

Collection Instructions

  • Collection should be from posterior vaginal fornix using a sterile, polyester-tipped swab (e.g. Dacron). Use of lubricants should be avoided during specimen collection.
  • Refrigeration of specimens should be avoided.

Specimen Requirements

Containers
  • Preferred: Sterile Stuart’s media culture swab

  • Alternate: A sterile swab placed in 0.5 mL of sterile physiological saline solution. Stability is limited to 15 minutes at room temperature due to Trichomonas viability.

Stability
  • ≤ 2 hours at room temperature for specimens collected with Sterile Stuart’s media culture swab
  • 15 minutes at room temperature for sterile swab placed in 0.5 mL of sterile physiological saline solution specimens

Rejection Criteria

Specimens received past stability limits

Result Reporting and Reference Values

Reference Ranges

Parameter

Reference Range

WBC

≤ 5 cells/HPF

RBC

None seen

Epithelial Cells

No reference range (Epithelial cells are expected)

Clue Cells

None Seen

Sperm

No reference range: Clinical significance is determined by patient’s provider

Yeast

None seen

Trichomonas

None seen

 

Critical Ranges

None

Reflex Testing

None

Limitations

  • The Wet Prep is a semi-quantitative screening test; results should only be used in conjunction with other clinical findings.
  • Refrigerated specimens may adversely affect the the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis.
  • Women with bacterial vaginosis are often asymptomatic. Bacterial vaginosis, typically caused by an overgrowth of G. vaginalis, has been associated with preterm delivery, rupture of amniotic membranes and septic abortion.
  • More than one WBC per epithelial cell can indicate cervical or vaginal inflammation and the relative absence of WBCs is characteristic of the discharge of non-specific vaginosis.