The significance of finding curved rods in the vaginal secretions of patients attending a genito-urinary medical clinic
Pattman, R.S.
Scandinavian Journal of Urology and Nephrology. Supplementum 86: 143-146
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8886 PMID: 6598916 Document Number: 241617
This survey was aimed at determining the prevalence of curved rod organisms in the vaginal secretions of 500 women consecutively attending a genitourinary clinic and relating their presence to age, promiscuity, contraception, and other sexually transmitted infection. 169 (33.8%) of these women were found to harbor atypical bacteria and curved rods were found in 108 (21.6%). 25.1% of women age 25 years or over and 18.7% of women under age 25 years who were identified as sexually promiscuous were found to harbor curved rods. Curved rods were observed in 45.2% of IUD users, 24.3% of those using no contraception or relying on sterilization, 17.4% of oral contraceptive users, and only 13% of women who used a barrier method. In addition, curved rods were noted in 37.5% of women with concurrent chlamydial cervical infection. There was no significant relationship with contact with nonchlamydial balanitis, but an increased rate (31.3%) was noted in contacts of nongonococcal urethritis, suggesting a possible etiologic role. It is concluded that curved rods appear to be indicators of sexual promiscuity and may thus be markers of other sexually transmitted diseases.