Fluorescent location of cells of cytological interest in cervical smears prestained with thionin.

Abstract

Cervical cells of cytological interest were located in conventional smears, treated with thionin for quantitative DNA staining by subsequent treatment with fluorescent probes for a cell surface protease. Normal mature cervical epithelial cells failed to bind these fluorescent probes whilst metaplastic cells, glandular cells, and dyskaryotic cells were readily located. By this means, the nuclear staining of these fluorescent cells of cyotological interest enabled them to be classified by a cytologist.