A REVIEW OF BACTERIOLOGICAL CULTURE OF REMOVED INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES

A retrospective review of clinical and microbiological data was made, over art 18 month period, of intrauterine contraceptive devices remove d and sent for examination. An association with symptoms at time of re moval was found for Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus milleri, e nterobacteria and obligate anaerobes. Thirty four per cent of IUDs yie lded one or more Actinomycesspecies spp bur no correlation with sympto ms was found. In the small group of symptomatic patients who were foll owed up, no difference in outcome was observed between those who were treated with antibiotics and those who were not.