From the Research
The presence of epithelial cells on a genital swab indicates adequate sample collection rather than a pathological condition, and no specific management is required for the epithelial cells themselves. When evaluating genital swabs, laboratory professionals look for epithelial cells as a quality indicator to confirm that the sample was properly collected from the mucosal surface. A good quality specimen should contain epithelial cells along with any potential pathogens. If a swab shows few or no epithelial cells, it may represent an inadequate sample that could yield false-negative results. In cases where a genital swab shows epithelial cells but no pathogens in a symptomatic patient, clinicians should consider repeating the test or using alternative diagnostic methods to rule out infection, as suggested by 1. The management should focus on any identified pathogens rather than the epithelial cells, which are expected to be present in properly collected samples. Understanding the significance of epithelial cells helps clinicians interpret laboratory results appropriately and ensure quality diagnostic testing. Some studies, such as 2, have investigated the characteristics of epithelial cells from different sources, but the key point for clinical management is that their presence on a swab is a normal finding. Additionally, research like 3 has explored the possibility of predicting the origin of epithelial cells, but this does not change the basic approach to managing a patient with a genital swab showing epithelial cells. The focus should always be on identifying and treating any underlying infection or condition, rather than the epithelial cells themselves, as they are a normal part of the genital tract lining, as discussed in 4 and 5.