PID: clinical and laparoscopic aspects

Clinical signs of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) are not constant and are often limited to slight pelvic pain. Laparoscopy can lead to a rapid and correct diagnosis of PID. Intrapelvic bacteriologic samples can be obtained so as to administer the proper antibiotic. The exact nature of the lesions can be evaluated, and in severe cases, recent abscesses can be treated with good results for fecundity. Because the results in cases of long-standing abscess are not so good, laparoscopy should be performed at the onset of infection and not be reserved until after some weeks of inefficient medical treatment, especially in young women who have not completed their family. In primary chronic salpingitis, the lack of any clinical signs usually leads to a delay in diagnosis until women consult for fertility problems. The ideal point would be to detect some biologic or clinical change that may lead to diagnosis such as a positive anti-Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) serology or, in the future, positive anti-CT Hsp 60 antibody could be the key to detecting and treating silent salpingitis in young women, CT being the main microorganism involved in chronic salpingitis. Screening for C. trachomatis low genital tract infection is mandatory in young people in order to control the epidemic.