Specific Applications of Cervical Swabs

• Cervical Cancer Screening: Cervical swabs are used to collect cells from the surface of the cervix and within the cervical canal. Liquid-based thin-layer cytology test (TCT) or Pap smear examination can then be carried out on these samples to detect abnormal changes in cervical cells, such as precancerous lesions and cancer cells. It is an important method for the early screening of cervical cancer.
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Detection: Cervical swabs are employed to obtain samples of cervical cells for testing whether there is an HPV infection and which specific HPV types are present. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV is the main risk factor for the occurrence of cervical cancer, so HPV testing is of great significance for the prevention and early diagnosis of cervical cancer.
• Pathogen Detection: Samples of cervical secretions can be collected using cervical swabs to detect pathogens that cause diseases like cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease, such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma, etc., providing a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Specific Applications of Vaginal Swabs

• Diagnosis of Vaginitis: Vaginal swabs can be used to collect vaginal secretions for routine leucorrhea examinations. By detecting indicators such as vaginal cleanliness, pH value, trichomonads, fungi, clue cells, etc., it helps diagnose common vaginal inflammations like trichomoniasis vaginitis, fungal vaginitis, and bacterial vaginitis.
• Assessment of Vaginal Microecology: Analyzing the types, quantities, and proportions of various microorganisms in the samples collected by vaginal swabs can assess the balance of vaginal microecology, determine whether there is dysbacteriosis, and guide clinical treatment and the regulation of vaginal microecology.
• Detection of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Samples of vaginal secretions collected by vaginal swabs can be used to detect pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases, such as Treponema pallidum, herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus (associated with genital warts), etc. This is crucial for the diagnosis and prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases.
• Associated Tests in Assisted Reproduction: In assisted reproductive technologies, vaginal swabs can be used to collect vaginal secretions for pathogen detection to ensure that the vaginal environment is suitable for embryo implantation and development, reduce the risk of infection, and improve the success rate of assisted reproduction.