Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

Shafaq Tarik Burhan















ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Intrauterine devices are highly effective methods of contraception; but considered to cause pelvic inflammatory diseases by its colonization by bacteria and /or fungi and form biofilms consisting of layers of host cells and bacteria or fungi embedded within a matrix material.
OBJECTIVE:
To screen the microbial biofilms on intrauterine devices, and its associated infection in vagina and cervix in intrauterine devices users.
METHODS:
A case series design was adopted, composed of 50 participants. High vaginal and cervical swabs were taken and intrauterine devices were removed and sent for microbiological examination.
RESULTS:
Eighty four percent of removed intrauterine devices were infected with biofilm containing different types of microorganisms and 92.8% of these infected IUDs were associated with high vaginal and cervical infection.
E.coli was found to be most common microorganism 61.5% of the infections, staphylococcus aureus 43.6%, Pseudomonas spp. 15.3%, candida albicans 10.3%, Neisseria gonorrhoea 5.1%.
CONCLUSION:
There is high frequency of microbial biofilms formation on intrauterine devices and also high percentage of associated cervico-vaginal infections in intrauterine devices users.
KEY WORDS: intra uterine devices, biofilm, microbiological examination.