Abstract
In this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of intrauterine devices (IUDs) on cervico-vaginal colonization. Cervico-vaginal samples of 96 patients with vaginal discharge were included in the study. Microscopic evaluation, bacteriological and fungal culture, and antigen testing for Chlamydia trachomatis using an immunochromatographic test method were performed. Trichomonas vaginalis was not detected by wet mount examination. Gram smear revealed that seven patients (7.3%) had Candida spp. and five (5.2%) had clue cell. Of the 96 swabs tested for conventional culture, pathogenic microorganisms were isolated from 24 patients. While Neisseria gonorrhoeae was not found in any of the sample, five (5.2%) were positive for Gardnerella vaginalis. Five (5.2%) were positive for C. trachomatis antigen, while three positivity only for C. trachomatis antigen, one had G. vaginalis additionally, and the other had a mixed infection. Chlamydial antigen positivity was higher among women over 30 years of age (p = 0.157). Increase in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PNL) was detected 40% and 35.2% of samples, positive and negative, for chlamydial antigen, respectively (p = 1.000). Among IUD+ cases, increase in PNL, fungal elements, E. coli and Gram-positive bacteria and decrease in Lactobacillus spp. were observed, compared to IUD-cases. No statistically significant relationship was detected between IUD and chlamydial antigen with the reported rates of 4.8% and 5.6% for IUD+ or IUD-, respectively (p > 0.05). Statistically significant relationship was not detected between IUD and cervico-vaginal colonization. More comprehensive studies using specific test methods should be conducted to better understand the relationship.
Highlights
In this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of intrauterine devices (IUDs) on cervico-vaginal colonization
We aimed to investigate whether IUDs have an effect on cervico-vaginal colonization among sexually active women
Increase in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PNL) were detected two (40%) and 32 (35.2%) of samples positive and negative for the chlamydial antigen, respectively (p = 1.000)
Summary
In this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of intrauterine devices (IUDs) on cervico-vaginal colonization. Increase in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PNL) was detected 40% and 35.2% of samples, positive and negative, for chlamydial antigen, respectively (p = 1.000). Conclusion: Statistically significant relationship was not detected between IUD and cervico-vaginal colonization. Many aerobic and facultative-obligate anaerobic species can be colonized in the normal vaginal flora of asymptomatic women of reproductive age. Among these species, anaerobic bacteria show dominance, found ten times more often than aerobic bacteria. Several factors are responsible for variation in vaginal flora among sexually active women. These factors cause several problems on a wide scale, ranging from asymptomatic vaginal discharge to severe pelvic infection. Bacterial vaginosis is believed to be the most common vaginal disorder affecting women and is characterized by the overgrowth of several anaerobic and microaerophilic
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