Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis associated with an intrauterine device

Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUD) have been associated with the induction of chronic anaerobic endometritis as well as superimposition of exogenous sexually transmitted diseases and unilateral tubo-ovarian abscesses. We report an unusual case of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in a patient with ascites and an IUD. Bacteriological data support the concept that the source of infection was a chronic mixed endometritis induced by prolonged use of an IUD (16 years). In the presence of ascites, a localized endometritis with its reservoir of bacteria provided the medium for systemic disease.