The monodisperse cervical smear: quantitative analysis of cell dispersion and loss with enzymatic and chemical agents

The proper utilization of flow-through instruments for the automatic detection of malignant cells in human cervical specimens requires that the cells be in the form of a monodisperse suspension. Information regarding the degree of cell dispersion and of cell loss is therefore of critical importance in the evaluation of any procedure used to render cervical specimens monodispe automatic detection of malignant cells in human cervical specimens requires that the cells be in the form of a monodisperse suspension. Information regarding the degree of cell dispersion and of cell loss is therefore of critical importance in the evaluation of any procedure used to render cervical specimens monodispe automatic detection of malignant cells in human cervical specimens requires that the cells be in the form of a monodisperse suspension. Information regarding the degree of cell dispersion and of cell loss is therefore of critical importance in the evaluation of any procedure used to render cervical specimens monodisperse. We have devised a simple method for the simultaneous assessment of these two parameters using smears prepared with the Perkin-Elmer Uni-Smear Spinner. Our quantitative evaluation indicates that none of the 15 enzymatic and chemical agents tested to disperse cervical specimens produced an adequate monodispersed cell suspension without unacceptable cell loss. Electron microscopic evidence is used to illustrate the deleterious effects of some of the agents employed.