[Intrauterine device-associated genital actinomycosis. Diagnosis and therapy with reference to five case reports]

Between 1992 and the beginning of 1993, 5 patients attending the gynecological department of the Charité Hospital in Berlin were treated for IUP-associated actinomycosis. The IUP had been used by these women for periods of between five and sixteen years. The primary diagnosis was established on the basis of a histological examination in three cases. In two cases, dysplasias had been diagnosed on the basis of the cytological examination. In one case, the primary diagnosis was suspected by the finding of actinomycetes in the cytological preparation. The treatment of choice is high-dose intravenous penicillin administered over the long term.