Vaginal infection. Light micrograph of cervical smear showing bacterial infection by Gardnerella vaginalis, also known as nonspecific vaginitis (a sexually transmitted disease). Mature squamous cells are seen (from the epithelial lining of the vagina) covered with a grainy mass of infecting bacterial cells. This type of aggregation is known as clue cells" and is used in the diagnosis of the infection. G. vaginalis is part of the normal vaginal flora in healthy women. In this case, however, the number of G.vaginalis cells has considerably increased, leading to a malodorous infection. Treatments include antibiotics. Papani- colaou stain. Magnification: x200 at 35mm size."