Proliferation patterns of cervical cells as visualized in Leiden liquid cytology slides

The Leiden liquid-based cytology method for the preparation of optimal cytological slides is reported. In such slides, the proliferation pattern of cervical cells can be visualized in detail. Cervical smears and suspension preparations of 665 consecutive unselected patients received in 2003 were studied. Of the 665 patients, 26 (10 normal, 10 with cervical atrophy, 5 with mild dysplasia, and 1 carcinoma in situ) were selected. After using the Thermo Shandon Papspin, the wet slides were placed on a hot plate and dried for 30 min. Proliferation of the cervical cells was visualized in brown by staining the cells for MiB-1 antigen, and nuclear DNA in blue by a standardized short staining with hematoxylin. We found excellent high-resolution demonstrability of cell cycle-related MiB-1 distribution in the well-flattened nuclei. The phase of the cell cycle could be deduced from brown-blue staining patterns. There was a significant increase of MiB-1-positive cell yield related to progression in the degree of pathology.