Open AccessActinomyces Israelii in the Genital Tract of Women with and Without Intra‐Uterine Contraceptive Devices
Author(s) -
Persson E.,
Holmberg K.,
Dahlgren S.,
Nilsson L.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348309156249
Subject(s) - actinomyces israelii , actinomycosis , medicine , actinomyces , sex organ , pathology , biology , genetics , bacteria
. Actinomycosis involving the female genital tract is more common among IUD users than others. The diagnosis is difficult and often delayed. It has been suggested that the finding of Actinomyces ‐like organisms or A. israelii in cervical smears indicates a risk of developing actinomycosis. A. israelii has not been regarded as a part of the indigenous genital flora. A group of IUD users without symptoms of genital tract infections were compared with a control group without IUDs. No Actinomyces ‐like organisms were found on cyto‐logical examination of cervical smears. Immunofluorescent staining and cultures identified A. israelii in 4% of the IUD users and in 3% of the non‐users. Serologic precipitin tests for actinomycosis were negative in all women. None developed actinomycosis on follow‐up of positive cases. The study indicates that A. israelli is a commensal of the female genital tract. The identification of A. israelii alone does not indicate that the patient risks developing actinomycosis. Other methods such as a serology test should be useful in defining the clinical significance of the findings.