Actinomyces odontolyticus isolated from the female genital tract

Actinomyces odontolyticus was isolated from genital tract specimens from 4.8% of 561 women fitted with intrauterine contraceptive devices and from 4% of 101 women with pelvic inflammatory disease and 1.8% of 525 women without pelvic inflammatory disease who were not known to be intrauterine contraceptive device wearers. The strains were isolated by prolonged anaerobic incubation of blood agar, with or without added 5% metronidazole or 1% neomycin. A odontolyticus has not been previously reported in cervico-vaginal specimens, and possible reasons for this are discussed.