Cervix
Inflammatory / infectious
Leptothrix
Authors: Ali Ismail, M.B.B.S., Ziyan T. Salih, M.D.
Editorial Board Member: David B. Chapel, M.D.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Jennifer A. Bennett, M.D.
Last author update: 3 October 2022
Last staff update: 3 October 2022
Copyright: 2003-2023, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Leptothrix vaginalis
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Essential features | Sites | Case reports | Cytology description | Cytology images | Differential diagnosis | Additional references | Board review style question #1 | Board review style answer #1 | Board review style question #2 | Board review style answer #2Cite this page: Ismail A, Salih ZT. Leptothrix. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/cervixleptothrix.html. Accessed June 1st, 2023.
Definition / general
- Leptothrix are nonpathogenic, filamentous, gram positive, nonspore forming anaerobic organisms that may be seen in association with Trichomonas
Essential features
- Nonpathogenic, filamentous, gram positive organism
- Frequently identified along with Trichomonas
- Mostly identified in cytology smears
Sites
- Cervix, oral and vaginal cavities
Case reports
- 65 year old woman with a history of white discharge per vaginum (National Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2015;4:48)
Cytology description
- Long, thin, segmented, filamentous structures with occasional branching (Bibbo: Comprehensive Cytopathology, 4th Edition, 2014)
- May form loops more frequently in conventional smears
- Tend to form clumps in liquid based cytology (LBC) preparations, as opposed to conventional smears
- Frequently noticed with coexistent Trichomonas vaginalis infections (Bibbo: Comprehensive Cytopathology, 4th Edition, 2014)
- Rarely observed with Döderlein bacillus infection (Bibbo: Comprehensive Cytopathology, 4th Edition, 2014)
- Trichomonas and Leptothrix together have been referred to as spaghetti and meatballs
- Leptotrichia and Trichomonas were observed together in 95% of cases in a study of 1,000 cases (Clin Microbiol Rev 1998;11:341)
Cytology images
Contributed by Ziyan T. Salih, M.D.
Cytologic smear with Leptothrix
Images hosted on other servers:
Filamentous Leptothrix species
Leptothrix
LBC: Leptothrix with Trichomonas
Long, filamentous structure
Differential diagnosis
- Lactobacillus:
- Shorter than Leptothrix and does not form loops
- Leptothrix is seen in conjunction with Trichomonas and may form colonies
Additional references
Board review style question #1
Which of the following organisms is frequently identified in cytologic smears in patients with Trichomonas infections?
- Candida
- Herpes
- Leptothrix
- Sporothrix
Board review style answer #1
Board review style question #2
Which of the following characterizes the Leptothrix organisms in cervical smears?
- Filamentous, gram negative, nonpathogenic
- Filamentous, gram positive, nonpathogenic
- Spore forming, filamentous, nonpathogenic
- Spore forming, gram positive, pathogenic
Board review style answer #2
