[Actinomycosis and the intrauterine spiral]

Genital actinomycosis infections are relatively rare and show a strong coincidence with long-lasting IUD application. Two patients without symptoms, where diagnosis was made by means of Papanicolaou smears were compared with two patients, where removal of a tubo-ovarian mass led to diagnosis. A general agreement about diagnosis and especially screening tests is still missing, but there seems to be a consensus regarding the types of IUD, the duration of use, and the sexual behaviour of the couple.