Abdominal and endometrial actinomycosis associated with an intrauterine device

Actinomycotic endometrial infection associated with an intrauterine device (IUD) complicated chronic abdominal inflammatory disease in a 28-year-old woman. Colonies of organisms with morphologic resemblance to and staining reactions of Actinomyces israelii were observed in tissue adherent to the IUD and in inflamed omental and pericolic tissues. However, the organism could not be cultured. Because intact tissues are resistant to actinomyces it is likely that the IUD created an environment favouring the establishment and growth of the organism.