Response of lower genital tract flora to external pelvic irradiation.
Endocervical and vaginal cultures were obtained every week from patients undergoing external pelvic irradiation for gynecologic malignancy. Gram-positive aerobes accounted for 52 to 56% of isolates, gram-negative aerobes accounted for 15 to 16%, and anaerobes accounted for 29 to 32% of all isolates prior to therapy. No significant changes occurred during or after completion of radiation for the group. In individual patients, however, over 50% of organisms found on initial culture were no longer present on completion of external therapy.
Gordon
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AN
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
Martens
M
M
LaPread
Y
Y
Faro
S
S
D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D010388:Pelvis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*