[Actinomycosis of the female genital tract]. / Actinomicosis del tracto genital femenino.

PIP: Actinomycosis is a rare infection caused by 2 different types of bacteria. Actinomycosis develops in the mouth, on the face, in the lungs, or in the digestive tract. Abdominal, pelvic, or genital actinomycosis is very rate; up to now there are only 300 cases reported in the published literature. This article presents the 3rd case that ever occurred in Chile. A 27 year-old patient, wearer of a Lippes Loop, was hospitalized for recurrent abdominal pains and for purulent discharges from the vagina. A diagnosis of endometritis and bilateral tubo-ovarian abcess was followed by laparotomy, which revealed an abdominal cavity filled with pus and with necrotic tissues. After extensive laboratory examination actinomycosis was diagnosed and the patient successfully treated with antibiotics. Since 1973 the association between actinomycosis and IUD use has been made several times, although the mechanism of association is not well known. Several types of IUDs have been involved in actinomycosis cases. The disease, which was once fatal in 80% of cases, is today treated with penicillin and tetracycline, and by surgery.^ieng