Actinomycete-like organisms in cervicovaginal smears

The prevalence of organisms resembling actinomycetes in cervicovaginal smears in women wearing an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) was analysed prospectively in a screened private patient population with regard to the type of device used. The overall prevalence was 1,69%, with the greatest prevalence of 11,76% observed in Dalkon shield wearers. The significance of finding actinomycete-like organisms in smears is discussed in relation to the recent reports implicating the genus Actinomyces as a pathogen in some cases of pelvic infection in IUCD users.