Demonstration of chlamydial inclusions in exfoliated cells

Microscopic demonstration of chlamydial inclusions within cells offered the first laboratory procedure supporting the clinical diagnosis of chlamydial infection. The cytological test for the detection of chlamydial inclusions in genital tract infection, through not as sensitive as isolation in cell cultures, is still of diagnostic value. The present study discusses the collection of clinical specimens for microscopic examination, the preparation, fixation and staining of slides by Giemsa stain, iodine, and immunofluorescence.