title: The IUCD-associated incidence of Actinomyces israelii in the female genital tract.
abstract: Cervical swabs and in many cases also intrauterine contraceptive devices were examined from 973 women for the presence of Actinomyces israelii. It was detected in 11.6% of these women, the majority of whom were asymptomatic. The detection, however, of A. israelii in the female genital tract was associated with an almost 4-fold increase in the incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), indicating that colonization may progress to an infection in a small number of women. The incidence of A. israelii in the female genital tract of IUCD wearers was more than doubled when the IUCD was worn for longer than 4 years. The type of IUCD worn did not appear to be an important risk factor. Immunofluorescent staining of cervical smears identified 64% of cases. Specific culturing for A. israelii or cytological screening of Papanicolaou smears in addition were required to increase the isolation rate to nearly 90%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Cleghorn
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
mesh_terms: D000190:Actinomyces / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D015200:Fluoroimmunoassay; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D014626:Vaginal Smears