Pelvic actinomycosis and the intrauterine contraceptive device. A cyto-histomorphologic study.
Publication/Presentation Date
6-1-1978
Abstract
In 350 pancervico-vaginal (Fast) smears obtained from women using intrauterine contraceptive devices, organisms consistent with Actinomycetes have been found. Actinomycetes, representing cervicitis, endometritis, and pelvic abscesses clinically, have been observed histologically in some of these cases. Special stains, immunofluorescence, and anaerobic cultures have confirmed these organisms to be Actinomyces israelii. Actinomyces in the Fast smear occur in isolated clumps, revealing branching, filamentous organisms, and sulfur granules. They can be detected and diagnosed in a Papanicolaou-stained routine pancervico-vaginal smear. This diagnosis in Fast smears can identify users of intrauterine contraceptive devices who may have Actinomyces infection in the genital tract and who are at risk of developing clinical disease related to this infection.
Volume
69
Issue
6
First Page
581
Last Page
586
ISSN
0002-9173
Published In/Presented At
Luff, R. D., Gupta, P. K., Spence, M. R., & Frost, J. K. (1978). Pelvic actinomycosis and the intrauterine contraceptive device. A cyto-histomorphologic study. American journal of clinical pathology, 69(6), 581–586. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcp/69.6.581
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
665579
Department(s)
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Document Type
Article