FTIR microspectroscopic study of cell types and potential confounding variables in screening for cervical malignancies

FTIR microscopy was applied to the analysis of cell types and other variables present in Pap smears to ascertain the limitations of infrared spectroscopy in the diagnosis of cervical cancer and dysplasia. It was found that leukocytes, and in particular lymphocytes, have spectral features in the phophodiester region (1300-900 cm⁻¹) suggestive of what has previously been described as changes indicative of malignancy. Endocervical cells and fibroblasts have similar spectral features to HeLa cells and consequently could also confound diagnosis. The use of ethanol as a fixative and dehydrating agent results in retention of glycogen in cervical cell types and thus minimizes spectral changes in the glycogen region due to sampling technique. Spectra of seminal fluids exhibit strong bands in the phosphodiester/carbohydrate region; however, sperm contamination should be easily detectable by the presence of a distinctive doublet at 981/968 cm⁻¹. Erythrocyte spectra exhibit a reduction in glycogen band intensity, but can be discerned by a relatively low-intensity ν_s band. Endocervical mucin spectra exhibit a reduction in glycogen bands and a very pronounced ν_s band, which is similar in intensity to the corresponding band in HeLa cells. Thrombocytes have strong bands in the phosphodiester region, but thrombocytes can be discerned from other cell types by the presence of two small broad bands at 980 and 935 cm⁻¹. Candida albicans is characterized by strong bands in the polysaccharide region which could potentially obscure diagnostic bands if C. albicans is present in large numbers. Spectra of bacteria common to the female genital tract, in general, also have strong absorptions in the polysaccharide region; however, bacterial contamination is usually minimal and would not be expected to obscure cervical cell spectra. Nylon threads and bristles from cervical sampling implements produce characteristic IR profiles which allow for easy identification. Given the number of potential confounding variables associated with cervical cytology, a multivariate statistical or neural network analysis would appear to be necessary before the implementation of FTIR technology in clinical laboratories. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biospectroscopy 4: 75–91, 1998