An updated study of the relationship between bacterial infections and women's immune system, focusing on bacterial compositions with successful pregnancy.

Genital tract infections can cause a variety of harmful health outcomes, including endometritis, bacterial vaginosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease, in addition to infertility. Anaerobic bacteria, such as Gardnerella vaginalis, Megasphaera spp., and Atopobium vaginae, are more commonly identified in cases of bacterial vaginosis than lactobacilli. It is unknown how the microorganisms that cause pelvic inflammatory diseases and endometritis enter the uterus. Both prospective and retrospective research have connected pelvic inflammatory disorders, chronic endometritis, and bacterial vaginosis to infertility. Similar to bacterial vaginosis, endometritis-related infertility is probably caused by a variety of factors, such as inflammation, immune system recognition of sperm antigens, bacterial toxins, and a higher risk of STDs. Preconception care for symptomatic women may include diagnosing and treating pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic endometritis, and bacterial vaginosis before conception to optimize the results of both natural and assisted reproduction.

Investigating possibilities for surveillance of long term chlamydia complications in the Netherlands: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia) is one of the most reported bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI) worldwide. Chlamydia can cause long term complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy (EP) and tubal factor infertility (TFI). Changing testing strategies, for example reduced asymptomatic testing, influence chlamydia surveillance, highlighting the need for exploring alternative ways of monitoring chlamydia. We investigated the possibility of introducing routine surveillance of chlamydia related long term complications. METHODS: A qualitative study including 15 in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of gynaecologists, general practitioners (GP), sexual health and emergency doctors was conducted in the Netherlands in 2021-2022. A semi-structured interview guide focused on experiences with diagnosis and registration of PID, EP and TFI and how a change in asymptomatic chlamydia testing strategy might influence this. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using a thematic approach. RESULTS: Analysis showed that gynaecologists most frequently reported diagnosing PID, EP and TFI. Other professions rarely diagnose these complications, with emergency doctors only diagnosing EP. Most respondents reported unique registration codes for PID and EP, but the coding for TFI is more ambiguous. They reflected that diagnosis and registration of PID, EP and TFI are handled differently within their professions. Most respondents acknowledged registration in diagnostic codes as a useful surveillance tool. They expressed concerns in representativeness (e.g. differences in interpretation of diagnosis criteria) and data quality for surveillance. CONCLUSIONS: Patient files of gynaecologists are likely to be most complete for monitoring trends of diagnosed chlamydia related long term complications in the Netherlands. However, when establishing a chlamydia complication surveillance system, professionals should be engaged in further standardizing diagnosis and registration practices. This will improve the quality and interpretability of complication surveillance and facilitate comparison between countries.

A New Marker for the Diagnosis of Acute Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Immature Granulocyte.

BACKGROUND: The goal is to assess the role of immature granulocytes (IG) in the diagnosis of acute pelvic-inflammatory-disease (PID) and to determine whether they are useful for discriminating mild/moderate and severe PID. METHODS: Patients admitted with the diagnosis of acute PID were retrospectively assessed. Diagnosis was based on CDC criteria. Patients were grouped as severe and mild/moderate PID based on need for hospitalization. Control group consisted of patients in whom PID was excluded by laparoscopy. Sample size was calculated with statistical methods. IGs were compared within the groups. Cutoff values were determined for prediction of diagnosis and severity of acute PID. RESULTS: There were 74 severe, 32 mild/moderate acute PID, and 41 control patients. Thirty patients had surgery following no response to antibiotic treatment or tubo-ovarian abscess. IGs were significantly higher in the severe group compared to mild/moderate and control groups. ROC analysis showed IG counts (≥ 0.035 µL) and percentages (≥ 0.35%) were significantly effective in predicting acute PID and were associated with severity when they were ≥ 0.055 µL and ≥ 0.42%, respectively. IG count ≥ 0.085 was found to have 58.6% sensitivity and 63.1% speci-ficity for prediction of surgical intervention need. CONCLUSIONS: IGs are components of simple CBC tests and are easily obtainable, cheap markers. They were found to be elevated in acute PID and correlated significantly with the severity of the disease. These markers may serve as adjunctive markers for the diagnosis of acute PID and may be useful in discrimination between mild/moderate and severe PID.

Mycoplasma genitalium: Key Information for the Primary Care Clinician.

Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is an emerging sexually transmitted infection, which appears to be a cause of urethritis and cervicitis and has been associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), epididymitis, proctitis, infertility, complications during pregnancy, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Three Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tests are available. Testing should be focused to avoid inappropriate antibiotic use. The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommend testing for persistent male urethritis, cervicitis, and proctitis and state that testing should be considered in cases of PID. Testing is also recommended for sexual contacts of patients with MG. Testing is not recommended in asymptomatic patients, including pregnant patients, who do not have a history of MG exposure. Although resistance-guided therapy is recommended, there are currently no FDA approved tests for MG macrolide resistance, and tests are not widely available in the United States. The CDC recommends 2-step treatment with doxycycline followed by azithromycin or moxifloxacin. Moxifloxacin is recommended if resistance testing is unavailable or testing demonstrates macrolide resistance..

Imaging findings in inflammatory disease of the genital organs.

This review focuses on inflammatory diseases of female and male genital organs and discusses their epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and imaging findings. The female section covers pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) primarily caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Unusual causes such as actinomycosis and tuberculosis have also been explored. The male section delves into infections affecting the vas deferens, epididymis, testes, prostate, and seminal vesicles. Uncommon causes such as tuberculosis, and Zinner syndrome have also been discussed. In addition, this review highlights other conditions that mimic male genital tract infections such as vasculitis, IgG4-related diseases, and sarcoidosis. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of these inflammatory diseases are essential for preventing serious complications and infertility. Imaging modalities such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography play a crucial role in diagnosis. Understanding the diverse etiologies and imaging findings is vital for the effective management of inflammatory diseases of the genital organs.

"Can't Touch This!": Laparoscopic management of an obstructed uterus didelphys before and after treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the laparoscopic management of an obstructed uterus didelphys before and after treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease. To compare the appearance of pelvic organs during active infection with their appearance after washout and appropriate antibiotic treatment, emphasizing the importance of knowing when to abort a procedure. DESIGN: Video demonstration of surgical and medical management considerations during a complex pelvic surgery. Visualization of tissue healing that occurs with appropriate antibiotic treatment. SETTING: Academic Center. PATIENT: A patient who presents for definitive surgical management of a uterus didelphys with an obstruction at her right hemicervix. Her presentation is complicated by a tubo-ovarian abscess. INTERVENTION: A uterus didelphys is classically defined as two hemiuteri with duplicated cervices with or without a longitudinal vaginal septum. Uterus didelphys may have an obstruction and/or communication between the two uterine horns, in which case patients may present with complications such as cyclic pelvic pain from hematometra or genital tract infection. This is a case report of a 14-year-old G0 who presented to the emergency department with two weeks of vaginal bleeding, severe diffuse abdominal pain, and malodorous vaginal discharge. Transabdominal ultrasound and a magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis established a new diagnosis of a uterus didelphys with an obstruction at her right hemicervix and a fistulous tract connecting her right and left hemiuteri at the level of the internal cervical os. She was also found to have a 3 cm left ovarian cyst and a new finding of congenital absence of her right kidney. Patient was administered ceftriaxone, doxycycline, and metronidazole antibiotics as treatment of presumed pelvic inflammatory disease but experienced minimal improvement after 24 hours. The decision was made to proceed with surgical intervention. A survey of the pelvis revealed significant inflammation, friable peritoneum, and endometriosis. The uterine horns in didelphic configurations were visualized. The fimbriae at the left fallopian tube were notably splayed out, swollen, and inflamed. There was a notable large mass in the location where the ovarian cyst had been previously described on imaging. A large amount of purulent material was expressed when compressed, consistent with a tubo-ovarian abscess. The infection likely originated from the menstrual blood collection at the right obstructed cervix that ascended through the communication between the right and left hemiuteri. The pelvis was irrigated thoroughly. At this point, the decision was made to stop the procedure, pursue antibiotic treatment, and resolve the active infection before correcting her complex müllerian anomaly. Patient continued on her antibiotic course, which included piperacillin-tazobactam, while hospitalized, followed by a five-day course of amoxicillin-clavulanate. She was also placed on medroxyprogesterone acetate for menstrual suppression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Advantage of allowing time for antibiotic treatment and tissue healing before repair of a complex müllerian anomaly. RESULT: With antibiotic treatment, she recovered well postoperatively with resolution of her pain. Three months later, she returned to the operating room for definitive surgical management of her obstructed uterine didelphys. On laparoscopy, there was a significant improvement in tissue quality. Most notably, the fimbriae of the left fallopian tube were no longer inflamed. We proceeded with the planned correction of the complex müllerian anomaly. After resection of the right uterine horn, the fistula tract was identified and also resected. The defect in the right hemicervix was closed over, reinforcing the medial side of the left hemicervix. She had an uncomplicated postoperative recovery, and menses resumed without pain. CONCLUSIONS: The presented case provides unique insight into the tissue healing that occurs before and after antibiotic treatment. Knowing when to stop, especially in the setting of an active infection, is extremely important for performing a procedure safely, minimizing harm, and allowing for robust tissue repair. It is also important to optimize modifiable preoperative factors before correcting a complex müllerian anomaly. Assessing and reassessing the situation during a complex pelvic surgery is essential, especially in the setting of a complex müllerian anomaly where the preoperative examination and imaging may not be definitive.

Bilateral or unilateral tubo-ovarian abscess: exploring its clinical significance.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the characteristics of patients with unilateral and bilateral tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA). METHODS: Women diagnosed with TOA during 2003-2017 were included in this retrospective cohort study. TOA was diagnosed using sonography or computerized tomography and clinical criteria, or by surgical diagnosis. Demographics, sonographic data, clinical treatment, surgical treatment, and post-operative information were retrieved. RESULTS: The study cohort included 144 women who met the inclusion criteria, of whom 78 (54.2%) had unilateral TOA and 66 (45.8%) had bilateral TOA. Baseline characteristics were not different between the groups. There was a statistical trend that women with fewer events of previous PID were less likely to have with bilateral TOA (75.3% vs. 64.1%, respectively; p = 0.074). Women diagnosed with bilateral TOA were more likely to undergo surgical treratment for bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy compared to unilateral TOA (61.5% vs. 42.3%, respectively; p = 0.04). There was no difference in maximum TOA size between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study detected a trend toward increased need for surgical treatment in women diagnosed with bilateral TOA. These findings may contribute to determining the optimal medical or surgical treatment, potentially leading to a decrease in the duration of hospitalization, antibiotic exposure, and resistance. However, it is important to acknowledge that the results of the current study are limited, and further research is warranted to validate these potential outcomes.

A rare case of infection and spontaneous rupture in ovarian mucinous cystadenoma.

Ovarian cysts exhibit variable clinical presentations depending on their size, type and resulting sequelae. Rupture of ovarian cysts is infrequent, and cyst infections are even rarer. Here, we report an unusual case involving a young, non-pregnant woman who presented acutely with features of peritonitis and sepsis and was found to have a complex adnexal mass. Following a rigorous diagnostic evaluation, which included an urgent exploratory laparotomy and salpingo-oophorectomy, common diagnoses including tubo-ovarian abscess, endometriotic cyst and pelvic tuberculosis were ruled out. Instead, she was diagnosed with an ovarian mucinous cystadenoma that had become infected, possibly due to pelvic inflammatory disease, leading to spontaneous rupture. Such a presentation has rarely been reported, especially in a non-pregnant setting. Therefore, we emphasise the importance of considering this rare complication as a potential differential diagnosis in similar clinical presentations and discuss the management implications, including the importance of adequately treating pelvic inflammatory disease.

Gynecologists and pelvic inflammatory disease: do we actually know what to do?: A cross-sectional study in Jordan.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an upper genital tract infection caused by a variety of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms ascending from the cervix or vagina. Though PID is mainly a sexually transmitted disease; 15% are non-sexually transmitted.[1] In our study, we aim to assess gynecologists' understanding and awareness of PID; as it presents an important health issue affecting the Jordanian community and similar communities with the same cultural and religious backgrounds. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire that received responses from 172 gynecologists in Jordan. The questionnaire aimed at testing gynecologists' knowledge of different aspects of PID starting with diagnosis and ending with management. 68.6% of gynecologists acknowledged that PID is a problem in Jordan. However, obvious confusion was observed in the scopes of clinical presentation, choosing the most reliable PID investigations, and treatment. PID is not being addressed properly in a sexually conservative community that has low rates of sexually transmitted diseases like Jordan, which is misleading and dangerous. In addition, we think there is a lack of certain standards on how to define PID and acknowledge its effect on the community as well as the disappointing level of knowledge about different aspects of PID gynecologists show, starting with its prevalence and ending with treatment policy. Clearer guidelines for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of PID should be adopted. These findings should be acknowledged by all doctors from neighboring countries as well as those within similar communities to Jordan.

Evaluation of Acute Pelvic Pain in Women.

Acute pelvic pain is defined as noncyclic, intense pain localized to the lower abdomen and/or pelvis, with a duration of less than three months. Signs and symptoms are often nonspecific. The differential diagnosis is broad, based on the patient's age and pregnancy status and gynecologic vs. nongynecologic etiology. Nongynecologic etiologies include gastrointestinal, urinary, and musculoskeletal conditions. Urgent gynecologic conditions include ectopic pregnancy, ruptured ovarian cyst, adnexal torsion, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Approximately 40% of ectopic pregnancies are misdiagnosed at the presenting visit. Urgent nongynecologic conditions include appendicitis and pyelonephritis. Less urgent etiologies include sexually transmitted infections, pelvic floor myofascial pain, dysmenorrhea, and muscle strain. Approximately 15% of untreated chlamydia infections lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. History and physical examination findings guide laboratory testing. Questions should focus on the type, onset, location, and radiation of pain; timing and duration of symptoms; aggravating and relieving factors; and associated symptoms. Performing a urine pregnancy test or beta human chorionic gonadotropin test is an important first step for sexually active, premenopausal patients. Imaging options should be considered, with transvaginal ultrasonography first, followed by computed tomography. Magnetic resonance imaging can be useful if ultrasonography and computed tomography are nondiagnostic.

Mycoplasma Genitalium: A Lesser-Known Cause of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is a bacterium that can be spread through sexual contact with another person who is infected. If misdiagnosed and left untreated, this newer, emerging sexually transmitted infection (STI) can cause complications such as urethritis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in both men and women. In males, MG can be asymptomatic and undetectable. In females, MG may present with nonspecific symptoms, such as dysuria, vaginal discharge, and/or pelvic pain. In addition to chlamydia and gonorrhea, MG may result in PID. Due to the complications of MG, health care providers in the emergency department setting need to consider this as a differential diagnosis when performing STI and vaginitis screenings on sexually active patients who may present with urinary or vaginal complaints. As patients with pelvic pain are frequently seen in the emergency department, providers need to be aware of the role that MG may play in STIs and the subsequent sequelae if not treated properly.

Diagnosed Gonorrhea Among Privately Insured Women: Analysis of United States Claims Data.

Background: Gonorrhea incidence in the United States has risen by nearly 50% in the last decade, while screening rates have increased. Gonorrhea sequelae rates could indicate whether increased gonorrhea incidence is due to better screening. We estimated the association of gonorrhea diagnosis with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy (EP), and tubal factor infertility (TFI) in women and detected changes in associations over time. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 5,553,506 women aged 18-49 tested for gonorrhea in the IBM MarketScan claims administrative database from 2013-2018 in the United States. We estimated incidence rates and hazard ratios (HRs) of gonorrhea diagnosis for each outcome, adjusting for potential confounders using Cox proportional hazards models. We tested the interaction between gonorrhea diagnosis and the initial gonorrhea test year to identify changes in associations over time. Results: We identified 32,729 women with a gonorrhea diagnosis (mean follow-up time in years: PID = 1.73, EP = 1.75, TFI = 1.76). A total of 131,500 women were diagnosed with PID, 64,225 had EP, and 41,507 had TFI. Women with gonorrhea diagnoses had greater incidence per 1000 person-years for all outcomes (PID = 33.5, EP = 9.4, TFI = 5.3) compared to women without gonorrhea diagnoses (PID = 13.9, EP = 6.7, TFI = 4.3). After adjustment, HRs were higher in women with a gonorrhea diagnosis vs. those without [PID = 2.29 (95% confidence interval, CI: 2.15-2.44), EP = 1.57, (95% CI: 1.41-1.76), TFI = 1.70 (95% CI: 1.47-1.97)]. The interaction of gonorrhea diagnosis and test year was not significant, indicating no change in relationship by initial test year. Conclusion: The relationship between gonorrhea and reproductive outcomes has persisted, suggesting a higher disease burden.

Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a major cause of morbidity and reproductive difficulty in women of childbearing age. OBJECTIVE: This article outlines the pathogenesis, clinical evaluation and management of PID with a focus on the management of long-term fertility-related sequelae. DISCUSSION: The clinical presentation of PID can be variable and clinicians need to have a low threshold for suspecting the diagnosis. Despite a good clinical response to antimicrobials, the risk of long-term complications is high. Therefore, a history of PID would warrant early review in couples planning conception for further evaluation and discussion of the various modalities available for treatment if spontaneous conception does not occur.

Update on the Epidemiology, Screening, and Management of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection ("chlamydia") is the most commonly diagnosed bacterial sexually transmitted infection globally, occurring in the genitals (urethra or vagina/cervix), rectum, or pharynx. If left untreated in women, genital chlamydia can ascend into the upper genital tract causing pelvic inflammatory disease, increasing their risk for ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain. In men, chlamydia can cause epididymitis and proctitis. However, chlamydia is asymptomatic in over 80% of cases. This article provides an update on the epidemiology, natural history, and clinical manifestations of chlamydia in adults and discusses the current approaches to its management and control policy.

Infectious Vaginitis, Cervicitis, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Vaginal symptoms are one of the most common reasons women consult with physicians and can significantly impact quality of life. The differential diagnosis of vaginal discharge includes physiologic discharge, vaginitis, cervicitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina, most commonly caused by bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis infections. Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix and typically caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. PID is infection of the female upper genital tract, involving the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and/or pelvic peritoneum and usually caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and bacterial vaginosis-associated pathogens. A pelvic exam should be performed for any woman presenting with vaginal discharge to confirm the diagnosis and rule out an upper tract infection. BV and vulvovaginal candidal infections only require treatment if symptomatic and do not require partner therapy, whereas treatment and partner therapy is recommended for sexually transmitted illnesses, such as trichomoniasis, chlamydia and gonorrhea. Vaginitis may be uncomfortable, but rarely leads to serious long-term consequence, but pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to serious long-term sequelae, including increased risk for ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain.

A case of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma with a Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome-like imaging finding.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis that develops in the mesothelial cells of the peritoneum. We encountered a 48-year-old man with no prior asbestos exposure who visited our hospital with abdominal pain. Laboratory findings showed elevated C-reactive protein of 15.5 mg/dL. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) detected a Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome-like contrast effect on the liver surface and thickening of the peritoneum. Blood culture, Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific IFN-γ release assay, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA testing, and antinuclear antibody were all negative. CA125 was high at 124.8 U/mL. The laparoscopy for diagnostic purposes revealed adhesions between the liver surface and peritoneum in addition to numerous small and large white nodules on the peritoneum. Biopsy of the nodules confirmed the diagnosis of epithelial-type MPeM. Treatment was initiated with combined cisplatin and pemetrexed, and CT 6 months later showed a reduced contrast effect on the liver surface and improved peritoneal thickening. A Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome-like contrast effect on the liver surface on contrast-enhanced CT may help identify MPeM.

Xanthogranulomatous Salpingitis Presenting as Pyosalpinx in a Non-Sexually Active Adolescent Girl.

INTRODUCTION: Although pelvic inflammatory disease is seen in sexually active women, it can also be seen in virgin girls. One of the conditions that can develop if not treated appropriately is pyosalpinx. A case of pyosalpinx causing xanthogranulomatous inflammation, a rare type of inflammation, is presented. CASE: A 15-year-old virgin adolescent patient underwent salpingectomy for left pyosalpinx, and the pathology result revealed xanthogranulomatous salpingitis. CONCLUSION: Pelvic inflammatory disease is extremely rare in virgin adolescents and there is usually an underlying anatomic anomaly. No anatomical anomaly was detected in our case, but the detection of E.coli in the abscess fluid culture and the chronic constipation of our patient made us think that the cause of the disease was an ascending infection originating from the gastrointestinal tract.

Endometrioma increases the risk of antibiotic treatment failure and surgical intervention in patients with pelvic inflammatory disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in patients with endometriosis with and without ovarian endometrioma. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A single university-affiliated tertiary center. PATIENT(S): A total of 116 patients with endometriosis hospitalized because of PID between the years 2011-2021. Fifty-nine patients with an ovarian endometrioma component were compared with 57 patients with endometriosis without endometrioma. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The primary outcome was severe PID defined as the need for surgical intervention or drainage. Secondary outcomes included tubo-ovarian abscess, number of hospitalization days, a positive cervical bacterial culture or urine sexually trasmitted disease polymerase chain reaction (STD PCR) test, and readmission because of partially treated or relapsing PID. RESULT(S): PID in patients with endometrioma was found less likely to respond to antibiotic treatment with increased risk for surgical intervention or drainage compared with endometriosis patients without endometrioma (adjusted odds ratio, 3.5; confidence interval, 1.25-9.87). On admission, patients with endometrioma were older (26.5 vs. 31.0) and less likely to have an intrauterine device (19.3% vs. 5.1%) compared with patients without endometrioma. The rate of the tubo-ovarian abscess (52.5% vs. 19.3%) was significantly higher in patients with endometrioma. Readmission rate, positive bacterial culture, and hospitalization duration were higher in the endometrioma group; however, they did not reach statistical significance. Recent oocyte retrieval and patient's age were not associated with an increased risk of severe PID. CONCLUSION(S): Endometrioma patients with PID are less likely to respond to antibiotic treatment and present a higher risk for surgical intervention.