INCIDENCE OF ACTINOMYCETES INFECTION IN WOMEN USING INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 29  (2) , 111-116
Abstract
Pancervicovaginal smears taken from 350 women using an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) were screened for the presence of actinomycetes organisms. Of the 12 cases in which actinomycetes-like organisms were seen in Papanicolaou-stained smears, the presence of actinomycetes organisms was confirmed by immunofluorescence in 10 cases. The prevalence of actinomycetes infection was thus 2.8% (10 of 350 cases) in the IUD userss. Eight (4.3%) of 173 symptomatic subjects had actinomycetes infections. Two of the positive cases were asymptomatic. Of the 10 patients with confirmed actinomycetes infection, 8 were using the Cu T device while 2 were wearing the Lippes Loop IUD. Of the 10 patients, 7 were using an IUD for > 2 yr. The time of insertion of the IUD (postpuerperal, postmenstrual of after medical termination of pregnancy) did not show any correlation with the presence of actinomycetes infection. Actinomyces israelii was responsible for the infection in 8 cases while Arachnia propionica was seen in 2 cases. The organisms could not be grown in culture.

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