Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

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Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease or pelvic inflammatory disorder (PID) is an infection of the upper part of the female reproductive system namely the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, and inside of the pelvis.[5][2] Often there may be no symptoms.[1] Signs and symptoms, when present may include lower abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, fever, burning with urination, pain with sex, or irregular menstruation.[1] Untreated PID can result in long term complications including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and cancer.[2][3][4] The disease is caused by bacteria that spread from the vagina and cervix.[5] Infections by Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis are present in 75 to 90 percent of cases.[2] Often multiple different bacteria are involved.[2] Without treatment about 10 percent of those with a chlamydial infection and 40 percent of those with a gonorrhea infection will develop PID.[2][9] Risk factors are similar to those of sexually transmitted infections generally and include a high number of sexual partners and drug use.[2] Vaginal douching may also increase the risk.[2] The diagnosis is typically based on the presenting signs and symptoms.[2] It is recommended that the disease be considered in all women of childbearing age who have lower abdominal pain.[2] A definitive diagnosis of PID is made by finding pus involving the fallopian tubes during surgery.[2] Ultrasound
Ultrasound may also be useful in diagnosis.[2] Efforts to prevent the disease include not having sex or having few sexual partners and using condoms.[6] Screening women at risk for chlamydial infection followed by treatment decreases the risk of PID.[10] If the diagnosis is suspected, treatment is typically advised.[2] Treating a woman's sexual partners should also occur.[10] In those with mild or moderate symptoms a single injection of the antibiotic ceftriaxone along with two weeks of doxycycline and possibly metronidazole by mouth is recommended.[7] For those who do not improve after three days or who have severe disease intravenous antibiotics should be used.[7] Globally about 106 million cases of chlamydia and 106 million cases of gonorrhea occurred in 2008.[9] The number of cases of PID however, is not clear.[8] It is estimated to affect about 1.5 percent of young women yearly.[8] In the United States PID is estimated to affect about one million people yearly.[11] A type of intrauterine device (IUD) known as the Dalkon shield
Dalkon shield led to increased rates of PID in the 1970s.[2] Current IUDs are not associated with this problem after the first month.[2]

Contents

1 Signs and symptoms 2 Cause

2.1 Bacteria

3 Diagnosis

3.1 Differential diagnosis

4 Prevention 5 Treatment 6 Prognosis

6.1 Complications

7 Epidemiology 8 References 9 External links

Signs and symptoms[edit]

Illustration of pelvic inflammatory disease

Symptoms in PID range from none to severe. If there are symptoms, then fever, cervical motion tenderness, lower abdominal pain, new or different discharge, painful intercourse, uterine tenderness, adnexal tenderness, or irregular menstruation may be noted.[2][1][12][13] Other complications include endometritis, salpingitis, tubo-ovarian abscess, pelvic peritonitis, periappendicitis, and perihepatitis.[14] Cause[edit] Chlamydia
Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Neisseria gonorrhoeae are usually the main cause of PID. Data suggest that PID is often polymicrobial.[14] Isolated anaerobes and facultative microorganisms have been obtained from the upper genital tract. N. gonorrhoeae has been isolated from fallopian tubes, facultative and anaerobic organisms were recovered from endometrial tissues.[15][16] The anatomical structure of the internal organs and tissues of the female reproductive tract provides a pathway for pathogens to ascend from the vagina to the pelvic cavity thorough the infundibulum. The disturbance of the naturally occurring vaginal microbiota associated with bacterial vaginosis increases the risk of PID.[15] N. gonorrhoea and C. trachomatis are the most common organisms. The least common were infections caused exclusively by anaerobes and facultative organisms. Anaerobes
Anaerobes and facultative bacteria were also isolated from 50 percent of the patients from whom Chlamydia
Chlamydia and Neisseria were recovered; thus, anaerobes and facultative bacteria were present in the upper genital tract of nearly two-thirds of the PID patients.[15] PCR and serological tests have associated extremely fastidious organism with endometritis, PID, and tubal factor infertility. Microorganisms associated with PID are listed below.[15] Rarely cases of PID have developed in people who have stated they have never had sex.[17] Bacteria[edit]

Chlamydia
Chlamydia trachomatis Neisseria gonorrhoeae Prevotella
Prevotella spp. Streptococcus pyogenes Prevotella
Prevotella bivia Prevotella
Prevotella disiens Bacteroides
Bacteroides spp. Peptostreptococcus asaccharolyticus Peptostreptococcus anaerobius Gardnerella vaginalis Escherichia coli Group B streptococcus α-hemolytic streptococcus Coagulase-negative staphylococcus Atopobium vaginae Acinetobacter
Acinetobacter spp. Dialister spp. Fusobacterium gonidiaformans Gemella spp. Leptotrichia spp. Mogibacterium spp. Porphyromonas spp. Propionibacterium acnes Sphingomonas
Sphingomonas spp. Veillonella spp.[15] Mycoplasma genitalium[16][18] Mycoplasma hominis Ureaplasma spp.[14]

Diagnosis[edit]

Mucopurulent cervical discharge seen on a Q-tip

Micrograph
Micrograph of salpingitis – a component of pelvic inflammatory disease. H&E stain.

Upon a pelvic examination, cervical motion, uterine, or adnexal tenderness will be experienced.[5] Mucopurulent cervicitis and or urethritis may be observed. In severe cases more testing may be required such as laparoscopy, intra-abdominal bacteria sampling and culturing, or tissue biopsy.[14][19] Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy can visualize "violin-string" adhesions, characteristic of Fitz-Hugh–Curtis perihepatitis and other abscesses that may be present.[19] Other imaging methods, such as ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic imaging (MRI), can aid in diagnosis.[19] Blood tests can also help identify the presence of infection: the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and chlamydial and gonococcal DNA probes.[14][19] Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), direct fluorescein tests (DFA), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are highly sensitive tests that can identify specific pathogens present. Serology testing for antibodies is not as useful since the presence of the microorganisms in healthy people can confound interpreting the antibody titer levels, although antibody levels can indicate whether an infection is recent or long-term.[14] Definitive criteria include histopathologic evidence of endometritis, thickened filled Fallopian tubes, or laparoscopic findings. Gram stain/smear becomes definitive in the identification of rare, atypical and possibly more serious organisms.[20] Two thirds of patients with laparoscopic evidence of previous PID were not aware they had PID, but even asymptomatic PID can cause serious harm. Laparoscopic
Laparoscopic identification is helpful in diagnosing tubal disease; a 65 percent to 90 percent positive predictive value exists in patients with presumed PID.[21] Upon gynecologic ultrasound, a potential finding is tubo-ovarian complex, which is edematous and dilated pelvic structures as evidenced by vague margins, but without abscess formation.[22] Differential diagnosis[edit] A number of other causes may produce similar symptoms including appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, hemorrhagic or ruptured ovarian cysts, ovarian torsion, and endometriosis and gastroenteritis, peritonitis, and bacterial vaginosis among others.[2] Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease is more likely to reoccur when there is a prior history of the infection, recent sexual contact, recent onset of menses, or an IUD
IUD (intrauterine device) in place or if the partner has a sexually transmitted infection.[23] Acute pelvic inflammatory disease is highly unlikely when recent intercourse has not taken place or an IUD
IUD is not being used. A sensitive serum pregnancy test is typically obtained to rule out ectopic pregnancy. Culdocentesis
Culdocentesis will differentiate hemoperitoneum (ruptured ectopic pregnancy or hemorrhagic cyst) from pelvic sepsis (salpingitis, ruptured pelvic abscess, or ruptured appendix).[24] Pelvic and vaginal ultrasounds are helpful in the diagnosis of PID. In the early stages of infection, the ultrasound may appear normal. As the disease progresses, nonspecific findings can include free pelvic fluid, endometrial thickening, uterine cavity distension by fluid or gas. In some instances the borders of the uterus and ovaries appear indistinct. Enlarged ovaries accompanied by increased numbers of small cysts correlates with PID.[24] Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is infrequently used to diagnose pelvic inflammatory disease since it is not readily available. Moreover, it might not detect subtle inflammation of the fallopian tubes, and it fails to detect endometritis.[25] Nevertheless, laparoscopy is conducted if the diagnosis is not certain or if the person has not responded to antibiotic therapy after 48 hours.[citation needed] No single test has adequate sensitivity and specificity to diagnose pelvic inflammatory disease. A large multisite U.S. study found that cervical motion tenderness as a minimum clinical criterion increases the sensitivity of the CDC diagnostic criteria from 83 percent to 95 percent. However, even the modified 2002 CDC criteria do not identify women with subclinical disease.[26] Prevention[edit] Regular testing for sexually transmitted infections is encouraged for prevention.[27] The risk of contracting pelvic inflammatory disease can be reduced by the following:

Using barrier methods such as condoms; see human sexual behavior for other listings.[28] Seeking medical attention if you are experiencing symptoms of PID.[28] Using hormonal combined contraceptive pills also helps in reducing the chances of PID by thickening the cervical mucosal plug & hence preventing the ascent of causative organisms from the lower genital tract.[28] Seeking medical attention after learning that a current or former sex partner has, or might have had a sexually transmitted infection.[28] Getting a STI history from your current partner and strongly encouraging they be tested and treated before intercourse.[28] Diligence in avoiding vaginal activity, particularly intercourse, after the end of a pregnancy (delivery, miscarriage, or abortion) or certain gynecological procedures, to ensure that the cervix closes.[28] Reducing the number of sexual partners.[23] Sexual monogamy.[29] Abstinence[28]

Treatment[edit] Treatment is often started without confirmation of infection because of the serious complications that may result from delayed treatment. Treatment depends on the infectious agent and generally involves the use of antibiotic therapy although there is no clear evidence of which antibiotic regimen is more effective and safe in the management of PID.[30] If there is no improvement within two to three days, the patient is typically advised to seek further medical attention. Hospitalization sometimes becomes necessary if there are other complications. Treating sexual partners for possible STIs can help in treatment and prevention.[10] For women with PID of mild to moderate severity, parenteral and oral therapies appear to be effective.[31][32] It does not matter to their short- or long-term outcome whether antibiotics are administered to them as inpatients or outpatients.[33] Typical regimens include cefoxitin or cefotetan plus doxycycline, and clindamycin plus gentamicin. An alternative parenteral regimen is ampicillin/sulbactam plus doxycycline. Erythromycin-based medications can also be used.[34] A single study suggests superiority of azithromycin over doxycycline.[30] Another alternative is to use a parenteral regimen with ceftriaxone or cefoxitin plus doxycycline.[23] Clinical experience guides decisions regarding transition from parenteral to oral therapy, which usually can be initiated within 24–48 hours of clinical improvement.[25] Prognosis[edit] Even when the PID infection is cured, effects of the infection may be permanent. This makes early identification essential. Treatment resulting in cure is very important in the prevention of damage to the reproductive system. Formation of scar tissue due to one or more episodes of PID can lead to tubal blockage, increasing the risk of the inability to get pregnant and long-term pelvic/abdominal pain.[35] Certain occurrences such as a post pelvic operation, the period of time immediately after childbirth (postpartum), miscarriage or abortion increase the risk of acquiring another infection leading to PID.[23] Complications[edit] PID can cause scarring inside the reproductive system, which can later cause serious complications, including chronic pelvic pain, infertility, ectopic pregnancy (the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in adult females), and other complications of pregnancy. Occasionally, the infection can spread to the peritoneum causing inflammation and the formation of scar tissue on the external surface of the liver (Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome).[36] Epidemiology[edit] Globally about 106 million cases of chlamydia and 106 million cases of gonorrhea occurred in 2008.[9] The number of cases of PID; however, is not clear.[8] It is estimated to affect about 1.5 percent of young women yearly.[8] In the United States PID is estimated to affect about one million people yearly.[11] Rates are highest with teenagers and first time mothers. PID causes over 100,000 women to become infertile in the US each year.[37][38] References[edit]

^ a b c d "Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Clinical Manifestations and Sequelae". cdc.gov. October 2014. Archived from the original on February 22, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2015. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Mitchell, C; Prabhu, M (December 2013). "Pelvic inflammatory disease: current concepts in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment". Infectious disease clinics of North America. 27 (4): 793–809. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2013.08.004. PMC 3843151 . PMID 24275271. ^ a b Chang, A. H.; Parsonnet, J. (2010). "Role of Bacteria
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Bacterial vaginosis and risk of pelvic inflammatory disease". Obstet Gynecol. 4 (Supp 3): S111–22. ^ Smith, KJ; Ness, RB; Wiesenfeld, HC (2007). "Cost-effectiveness of alternative outpatient pelvic inflammatory disease treatment strategies". Sex Transm Dis. 34: 960–6. ^ Walker, CK; Wiesenfeld, HC (2007). " Antibiotic
Antibiotic therapy for acute pelvic inflammatory disease: the 2006 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines". Clin. Infect. Dis. 44 (Suppl 3): S111–22. doi:10.1086/511424. PMID 17342664. ^ "Erythromycin" (PDF). Davis. 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2017. Invalid df= (help) ^ "Pelvic Inflammatory Disease". Center For Disease Control. May 4, 2015. Archived from the original on July 15, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2015. ^ "Pelvic Inflammatory Disease". MedScape. March 27, 2014. Archived from the original on March 13, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015. ^ "Pelvic Inflammatory Disease". Center For Disease Control. May 4, 2015. Archived from the original on July 15, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2015. ^ Sutton, MY; Sternberg, M; Zaidi, A; t Louis, ME; Markowitz, LE (December 2005). "Trends in pelvic inflammatory disease hospital discharges and ambulatory visits, United States, 1985–2001". Sex Transm Dis. 32 (12): 778–84. doi:10.1097/01.olq.0000175375.60973.cb. PMID 16314776. Archived from the original on 2015-04-18.

External links[edit]

Classification

V · T · D

ICD-10: N70 -N77 ICD-9-CM: 614-616 MeSH: D000292 DiseasesDB: 9748

External resources

MedlinePlus: 000888 eMedicine: emerg/410 Patient UK: Pelvic inflammatory disease

CDC Unpacking PID: Mysterious Microbes, Diagnostic Dilemmas and Triple Treatments Webinar - 2013 Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID; Salpingitis, Endometritis)

v t e

Female diseases of the pelvis and genitals (N70–N99, 614–629)

Internal

Adnexa

Ovary

Endometriosis
Endometriosis of ovary Female infertility