POPLINE Document Number: 018123
Author(s):
Mardh PA
Lind I
Svensson L
Westrom L
Moller BR
Source citation:
British Journal of Venereal Diseases, 1981 Apr;57(2):125-9.
Abstract:
Paired sera from 60 consecutive patients with acute salpingitis, confirmed by laparoscopy, were examined for serum antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. By a microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test, IgM or IgG antibodies to C. trachomatis or both were present in sera from 80% of the patients; by indirect hemagglutination (IHA) tests, antibodies to M. hominis and N. gonorrhoeae pilar antigens were present in 40% and 18% respectively. In a control group of 50 pregnant women, antibodies to the same 3 organisms occurred in 8%, 8%, and 6%. Evidence of current chlamydial infection was found in 35 (58%) and of current gonococcal infection in 5 (8%) of the 60 patients by culture or serological tests, or both. The results of chlamydial antibody tests correlated with the severity of the tubal inflammation (shown by laparoscopy) and the duration of lower abdominal pain before attendance. The predictive values of a positive and a negative MIF test result were 44% and 83% respectively and of the IHA gonococcal antibody test, 36% and 100% respectively. Significant rises in titer of antibodies to M. hominis were found in 12% of the patients. A 4-fold or greater rise in titer indicated probable double infections with chlamydia and mycoplasmas in 7% of patients. Thus, at the present, gonococcal salpingitis appears to form only a small proportion of all cases of salpingitis in southern Sweden, and in patients with nongonococcal salpingitis infections with C. trachomatis and M. hominis commonly occur. (author's modified)
Keywords:
SwedenIndex page
Antibodies
Pelvic Infections
Laboratory Procedures
Histology
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Infections
Age Factors
Geographic Factors
Developed Countries
Europe, Northern
Europe
Immunologic Factors
Immunity
Immune System
Physiology
Biology
Diseases
Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses
Examinations and Diagnoses
Reproductive Tract Infections
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population