PCR-based Investigation of Infection Patterns in Patients with Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases in Jeju

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a microbial infection caused by the upward spread of infectious organisms through the cervical os. Early diagnosis and treatment of PID are essential for the prevention of sequelae such as ectopic pregnancies, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain. Although Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are well-known causal agents of PID, there have been reports on some changes in PID-associated infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the infection patterns in patients with PID in Jeju. METHODS: Endocervical samples obtained from 65 patients with PID were tested for C. trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, N. gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum using multiplex PCR. RESULTS: The samples were positive for C. trachomatis (63%), M. hominis (34%), U. urealyticum (20%), M. genitalium (17%), N. gonorrhoeae (9%), and T. vaginalis (6%). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that C. trachomatis infection was prevalent and the incidence of M. hominis was higher than that of U. urealyticum.