What is "koilocyte"

n. A squamous epithelial cell that has undergone a number of structural changes as a result of infection of the cell by human papillomavirus.

A Koilocyte is a squamous epithelial cell that has undergone a number of structural changes, which occur as a result of infection of the cell by human papillomavirus.

Koilocytosis or koilocytic atypia or koilocytotic atypia are terms used in histology and cytology to describe the presence of koilocytes in a specimen.

Koilocytes may have the following cellular changes:

• Nuclear enlargement (two to three times normal size)
• Irregularity of the nuclear membrane contour
• A darker than normal staining pattern in the nucleus, known as Hyperchromasia
• A clear area around the nucleus, known as a perinuclear halo.

Collectively, these types of changes are called a cytopathic effect; various types of cytopathic effect can be seen in many different cell types infected by many different types of virus.

When examining cytologic specimens, mild koilocytosis is characteristic of ASC-US (atypical squamous cells - undetermined significance). A more undifferentiated koilocyte, possessing a more hyperchromatic and enlarged nucleus, and a higher degree of cytoplasmic clearing with a discernible peripheral rim favor an interpretation of LSIL ( low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion).

Koilocytes may be found in potentially precancerous cervical, oral and anal lesions.