PELVIC COLONIZATION WITH ACTINOMYCES IN WOMEN USING INTRA-UTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES

Recent reports suggest a relationship between intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) use and colonization or infection of the genital tract with Actinomyces species. This prospective, case-controlled study was designed to determine the incidence of colonization or infection with Actinomyces in IUD users. None of 50 control patients and 4 of 50 study patients (8%) had Actinomyces identified. None of the patients with positive results had symptomatic pelvic infection. Cervical cytology was effective in detecting each of the 4 study patients with positive results. It appears that the presence of any type of IUD is a major predisposing factor to colonization with Actinomyces.