Microbiologic techniques for the diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease in developing countries

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a major medical problem that causes serious complications in a large number of the female population in many developing countries. It is estimated that between 20% and 30% of gynecologic admissions in these countries are due to PID. The alarmingly high prevalence of gonorrhea is probably a major cause of this syndrome. Diagnosis of PID on clinical grounds without laboratory verification is the rule. The various techniques for diagnosing PID are discussed briefly. Primarily because of very small health budgets, the limitations faced by developing nations in the accurate diagnosis of PID are (1) a lack of adequately trained personnel, (2) inadequate clinic facilities, (3) low accuracy of clinical diagnosis, and (4) ill-equipped and understaffed laboratory services. Suggestions are offered for improvement of the present unsatisfactory situation.