Actinomyces-like Organisms in Cervical Smears: the Association with Intrauterine Device and Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases

Overview

Journal Obstet Gynecol Sci

Specialty Gynecology & Obstetrics

Date 2014 Sep 30

PMID 25264530

Citations 7

Authors

Yeo Joo Kim

Jina Youm

Jee Hyun Kim

Byung Chul Jee

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the incidence of actinomyces-like organisms in routine cervical smears of Korean women and to evaluate its association with the development of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in these women.

Methods: The results of cervical smears between 2011 and 2012 at a single university hospital were searched. If positive for actinomyces-like organisms, the medical record of the patient was searched and development of PID was followed. If the data were not available in the medical record, the patient was contacted by telephone.

Results: The incidence of actinomyces-like organisms in cervical smears was 0.26% (52/20,390). Forty-two women (80.8%) were intrauterine device (IUD) users: the copper-IUD in 25 women and the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in 13 women (type unknown in 4 women). The majority (71.4%, 30/42) of the IUD users maintained the IUD. Prophylactic antibiotics were prescribed to 12 women. Two continuous IUD users were later diagnosed with PID, but these cases were not pelvic actinomycosis.

Conclusion: It would be a reasonable option to choose the expectant management for asymptomatic women who incidentally showed actinomyces-like organisms in their cervical smear.

Citing Articles

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Disseminated Actinomyces Case Report: A Mimicker of Advanced Ovarian Malignancy.

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Mimicking uterine malignancy: Pelvic actinomycosis with giant uterine leiomyoma.

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