[Chlamydia trachomatis--laparoscopy specimen-taking and diagnosis of salpingitis]

To determine the microbiological aetiology of salpingitis, swab specimens for chlamydial cultures from the fimbriae and cul-de-sac were obtained by means of a new laparoscopic instrument in 47 patients with salpingitis. Due to technical problems with the new method, 19 women were lost for evaluation; however, eight of the remaining 28 (28.6%) had positive chlamydial cultures. No other bacteria were found in the cul-de-sac fluid. Laparoscopy was used in 45 additional patients to aspirate cul-de-sac fluid. Chlamydia trachomatis was found in three women (6.7%), Bacteroides fragilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis in one each.