IUDs and actinomyces
Ahmad, M.M.
Ippf Medical Bulletin 21(5): 3-4
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-0357 PMID: 12280826 Document Number: 351110
The prevalence of genital actinomyces infection and possible routes of transmission in IUD users were analyzed in a high-risk population of predominantly indigent Mexican-American family planning clients. The Papanicolaou (Pap) smears of 12 (9%) of the 134 IUD users cultured were positive for actinomyces-like organisms. The IUD involved was the Lippes Loop in 7 cases, the Cu 7 in 2 women, the Dalkon Shield in another 2 cases, and the Saf-T-Coil in the final case. The duration of IUD use ranged from 1-10 years, with a mean of 6 years. Oral-genital sexual contact was the sexual preference in 3/4 of the women with actinomyces infection compared with under 2/3 of the general clinic population. Most of the women with actinomyces-like organisms had a concomitant condition, including gastroenteritis, cholecystitis, scabies, schizophrenia, drug abuse, anemia, herpes genitalis, venereal disease, and urinary tract infection. All of these women complained of vaginal discharge with pelvic pain during their initial visits. Eikenella corrodens was recovered in 1 of these cases and had an overall prevalence of 0.17% in the clinic population. Eikenella corrodens is found in the mouth, on dental plaques, and is not yet recognized as a normal inhabitant of the vagina or gastrointestinal tract. Oral-genital contact appears to be the mode of transmission of both actinomyces and Eikenella corrodens.