title: Improved laboratory efficiency and diagnostic accuracy with new double-lumen-protected swab for for endometrial specimens.
abstract: Intrauterine specimens were obtained from 22 patients with endometritis and 24 control patients following cesarean section by using both a new protected swab and a standard anaerobic swab. The protected swab improved the value of the direct smear and Gram stain, resulted in fewer false-positive cultures, better defined endometrial flora in patients with endometritis, and permitted major savings in laboratory personnel time and materials.
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004716:Endometritis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000191:economics; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011645:Puerperal Infection / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*