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Observations concerning the microbial etiology of acute salpingitis
D E Soper1, N J Brockwell, H P Dalton
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Bacterial vaginosis is common in acute salpingitis, with its microorganisms frequently found in the upper genital tract. This suggests a link between bacterial vaginosis and pelvic inflammatory disease in women.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute salpingitis, a form of pelvic inflammatory disease, is often caused by ascending infections.
- Understanding the polymicrobial etiology of acute salpingitis is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the microbiology of acute salpingitis.
- To determine the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in patients with acute salpingitis.
- To investigate if BV-associated microorganisms are common isolates from the upper genital tract in these patients.
Main Methods:
- Laparoscopy was used to confirm acute salpingitis and obtain cultures from the fallopian tubes and cul-de-sac.
- Endometrial and fimbrial biopsies were evaluated for inflammation.
- Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed using vaginal Gram stain.
Main Results:
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis was identified in 77.4% of 84 patients with acute salpingitis.
- Vaginal microorganisms were isolated from the endometrium (31.4%) and cul-de-sac (14.3%).
- Bacterial vaginosis was present in 61.8% of patients, and 100% of isolated upper genital tract anaerobes were BV-associated.
Conclusions:
- Acute salpingitis often results from the ascending spread of sexually transmitted infections.
- Bacterial vaginosis frequently co-occurs with acute salpingitis.
- BV-associated microorganisms are common upper genital tract isolates in patients with pelvic inflammatory disease.