title: Biofilm formation on intrauterine devices in relation to duration of use.
abstract: Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are highly effective, long-term methods of contraception; however, IUD use is limited due to concerns about an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and subsequent complications. A retrospective review of clinical and microbiological data of 127 participants was carried out over a 3 year period. IUDs were removed and sent for microbiological examination. A 10 year old IUD, removed because of the symptoms of PID, was investigated via both microbial culture and scanning electron microscopy. The primary objective of this study was to examine the bacteria present on removed IUDs after different times in situ by using aerobic and anaerobic culture methods. A close association of the distribution of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria on the IUDs with different times in situ was found.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology1 and Institute of Clinical Microbiology2, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6701, PO Box 427, Hungary 3Institute of Medical Microbiology, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Pál
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology1 and Institute of Clinical Microbiology2, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6701, PO Box 427, Hungary 3Institute of Medical Microbiology, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Urbán
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology1 and Institute of Clinical Microbiology2, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6701, PO Box 427, Hungary 3Institute of Medical Microbiology, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dósa
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology1 and Institute of Clinical Microbiology2, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6701, PO Box 427, Hungary 3Institute of Medical Microbiology, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pál
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology1 and Institute of Clinical Microbiology2, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6701, PO Box 427, Hungary 3Institute of Medical Microbiology, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nagy
mesh_terms: D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012189:Retrospective Studies