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Abstract
Endocervical cytobrush sampling is currently contraindicated in pregnancy because of a lack of data documenting its safety during gestation. We report our experience in a series of 827 pregnant women sampled for cervical chlamydial infections or cytology with the cytobrush technique. In our cases, there was minimal method-related morbidity and the brush appears safe in the pregnant patient. Cytobrush sampling appears to have improved diagnostic accuracy for chlamydial cervicitis in the nonpregnant patient. We compared the technique to the dacron-swab method in 605 pregnant women. The prevalence of chlamydial infection was 5.1%. Each method detected 80% of infections present, however, bacterial contamination of the cultures was present in one-third more samples obtained with the cytobrush (P = 0.001). Cytobrush sampling purportedly is more accurate for cytologic study in the nonpregnant patient. We compared the technique to cotton-swab methods in 222 pregnant women. The cytobrush was significantly better (P = 0.025) as regards endocervical cell yields but was no better in diagnosing cervical dysplasia. Further study of the cytobrush technique during pregnancy appears to be warranted.