PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DESEASE
Voloceai Victoria
Definition
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) comprises a
spectrum of inflammatory disorders of the upper
female genital tract, including any combination of
endometritis, salpingitis, tubo-ovarian abscess, and
pelvic peritonitis.
Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
Treatment Guidelines 2010
International-Infectious Disease Society for Obstetrics and
Gynecology-USA (I-IDSOG-USA) Definition of PID
The membership of I-IDSOG-USA strongly
recommends eliminating the term PID and replacing it
with the term “upper genital tract infection”
(UGTI), followed by the name of the etiological agent,
followed by the stage of disease
(e.g., UGTI, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, stage III)
International-Infectious Disease Society for Obstetrics and
Gynecology-USA (I-IDSOG-USA) Definition of PID
Anatomical designations. The term PID indicates an
inflammatory process of infectious etiology involving,
at the least, the endometrium and fallopian tubes.
International-Infectious Disease Society for Obstetrics and
Gynecology-USA (I-IDSOG-USA) Definition of PID
Etiological and epidemiological designation. The
members of the I-IDSOG-USA concur with the
designation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia
trachomatis as initiating cytological agents.
General classification of pelvic infections:
Pelvic inflammatory desease:
-acute salpingitis
(gonococcalnegonococical)
-Pelvic cellulitis
-Tubo-ovarian abcess
-Pelvic abcess
Puerperal infections: Abortion-associated infections:
-Cesarean section (common) -Post-abortal cellulitis
-Vaginal delivery (uncommon) -Incomplete septic abortion
Postoperative Secondary to other infections:
gynecological surgery:
-Cellulitis and parametritis - Appendicitis
-Vaginal cuff abcess
-Tubo-ovarian abcess
Pelvic -Diverticulitis
-Tuberculosis
infections
Pelvic inflammatory desease
Endometritis
Salpingitis
Oophoritis
Pelvic cellulitis
Tubo-ovarian abcess
Pelvic peritonitis
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Other pelvic infections caused by surgery,
during pregnancy or due to other abdominal
processes are not, strictly considered, ‘PID’.
Epidemiology: International statistics
No specific international data are available for PID incidence
worldwide.
In2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that
approximately 448 million new cases of curable STIs occur
annually in individuals aged 15-49 years.
The annual rate of PID in high-income countries has been
reported to be 10-20 per 1000 women of reproductive age.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.
2010;59:413-17.
Epidemiology - CDC
TheCDC has estimated that more than 1 million women
experience an episode of PID every year.
Among sexually active women: Incidence is 1-2 % per
year
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Morb Mortal Wkly
Rep. 2010;59:413-17.
Epidemiology:
Factors contributing to the difficulty of determining the actual
worldwide incidence and prevalence of PID:
Non recognition of disease
Difficulties in obtaining access to care
Often subjective method of disease diagnosis
The lack of diagnostics and laboratory facilities
Underfunded and overstretched public health systems
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Morb Mortal Wkly
Rep. 2010;59:413-17.
Microbial Etiology
Most cases of PID are Secondary organisms:
polymicrobial (25-60%) Non-hemolytic
Primary organisms: streptococcus group B
Sexually transmitted E. Coli
Gardnerella
Staphylococcus
Klebsiella
Haemophilus Influentzae
Bacteroides species
Causes
Risk factors
ACCEPTED PROPOSED
(strong evidence) (weak evidence)
1. Prior infection with Chlamydia or
1. Low socio-economic status
Gonorrhea
2. Young age at onset of sexual activity 2. Intercourse during menstruation
3. Prior PID 3. Urban living
4. Sexually Transmitted Infection 4. High frequency of coitus
5. Non-use of barrier contraceptive 5. Use of IUCD
6. Cigarette smoking
6. Multiple sex partners
7. Substance abuse
8. Douching
Provocative agents
Menses
Intercourse
Iatrogenic:
Abortion
Curettage of uterine cavity
Hysterosalpingography
IUD insertion
In vitro fertilization
Protective factors
1. Barrier methods: Specially condom with spermicidal
chemicals
2. Oral steroidal contraceptives:
Thick mucus plug (preventing ascend of sperm and
bacterial penetration)
Decrease in duration of menstruation (Short interval of
bacterial colonization of the upper tract)
3. Monogamous partner
4. Pregnancy
5. Menopause
Mode of transmission:
Ascending infection (most often): ascend of organisms
by surface extension from the lower genital tract
through the cervical canal by way of the endometrium to
the fallopian tubes
Hematogenous
Lymphatic
Direct spread
Pathogenesis
PID – Ascending infection Peritonitis
Salpingitis/
oophoritis/ tubo-
ovarian abscess
Endometritis
Cervicitis
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Pathology
1. Involvment of fallopian tubes is almost bilateral
2. Pathological process is initiated primarely in the endosalpinx
3. Gross distruction of epithelial cells, cilia and microvilli
4. Acute inflammatory reaction: all layers are involved (from
muscular layer to the serosa)
5. Edema and hyperemia of tubes. Exfoliated cells and exudate into
the lumen agglutinate mucosal folds
6. Abdominal ostium of tubes is closed by edema and inflammation
7. Uterine end of tubes is closed by congestion
Pathology
Hydrosalpinx and piosalpinx
Possibilities: Oophoritis
Tubo-ovarian abcess
Peritonitis
Pelvic abcess
or resolution in 2-3 weeks with/without chronic sequelae
Pathology
The diagnosis of an isolated ovarian purulent
inflammatory process is practically impossible, since in
most cases it is associated with piosalpinx, as an
inflammatory adnexal tumor
Lymphatic spread of bacterial infection
- Mycoplasma
- Secondary organisms
Specific for postpartum, postabortal, and some IUD-related
infections, results in extraperitoneal parametrial cellulitis
[Link]
Hematogenous spread of bacterial infection
In rare cases, certain diseases (ex, tuberculosis) may gain
access to pelvic structures by hematogenous routes
[Link]
Direct spread from contaminated structures in the
abdominal cavity
- appendicitis, cholecystitis, etc.
[Link]
Clinical classification of PID
Brunham RC et al. N Engl J Med 2015;372:2039-2048.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for the
diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
David L. Hemsel et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;32:103-107
acute PID
Triad of lower abdominal pain, adnexal tenderness,
and tender cervical movements are considered to
be the most important clinical features of acute
PID
Clinical presentation
I-IDSOG-USA staging of acute PID
Stage I
Women who fulfill the CDC major diagnostic criteria and >1 of minor
criteria but who do not have overt peritonitis (absence of rebound
tenderness) and who have not had any prior documented STD upper
tract infections
Stage II
The above criteria, with peritonitis
Stage III
Women with demonstrable tubo-ovarian complex or tubo-ovarian
abcess evident on either physical or USG examination
Stage IV
Women with ruptured tubo-ovarian abcess
Laparoscopic staging of acute PID
3 grades of severity based on laparoscopic findings:
Grade 1 PID means there is either endometritis or
erythema of the salpinx, or a combination of both
Grade 2 PID, the salpinges are dark red and swollen
(edema)
Grade 3 PID the salpinx is filled with pus (pyosalpinx) and
exudation is found in the pelvis
Tubo-ovarian abcess (TOA) is also PID grade 3 according
to the definition
Diagnosis of PID
History Physical examination
Lower abdominal and Abdominal and pelvic
pelvic dull aching pain examination
Fever >38,3 Bilateral abdominal
Abnormal vaginal tenderness
discharge Adnexal mass and adnexal
Dysuria tenderness
Previous abdominal/pelvic Cervical motion tenderness
surgery Uterine tenderness
Previous gynecological Vaginal muco-purulent
problems discharge
IUD insertion
Sexual and STD history
Investigations
Complete blood count
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate Imaging:
Vaginal wet mount transvaginal/transabdominal
Vaginal/cervical culture for USG – imaging of choice
gonorrhea and chlamydia Abdominal CT or MRI
C-reactive protein
Urine pregnancy test
Urinanalysis
Urine culture
Tests for TBC, syphilis, HIV
Diagnostic procedures
Culdocenthesis
Endometrial biopsy
Diagnostic laparoscopy – gold standard
Deferential diagnosis
Gastrointestinal: Gynecologic:
Appendicitis ectopic pregnancy
Bowel obstruction Adenomyosis
Gastritis Endometriosis
Diverticulitis Mittelschmertz
Inguinal hernia Ovarian cyst
Mesenteric venous thrombosis Ovarian torsion
Peri-rectal abscess, etc. Postpartum endometritis,
Urinary: etc.
Cystitis
Pyelonephritis Other: dissecting aortic
Ureterolythiasis, etc.
anevrysm, etc.
Complications and sequelae
1. Dyspareunia
2. Infertility
3. Ectopic pregnancy
4. Adhesions, hydrosalpinx, pyosalpinx, tubo-ovarian
abcess
5. Chronic pelvic inflammation
6. Chronic pelvic pain
Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome
Consists in right upper quadrant The major symptom: acute onset
pain resulting from ascending of right upper quadrant
pelvic infection and inflammation abdominal pain, aggravated by
of the liver capsule or diaphragm, breathing, coughing or laughing,
leading to creation of adhesions which may be referred to the
Is a rare complication of PID right shoulder
Tenderness on palpation of the
Typically associated with acute
salpingitis right upper abdomen and
tenderness to percussion of the
It is usually caused by Gonorrhea
lower ribs which protect the liver
(acute gonococcal perihepatitis) or
There is often no or only
Chlamydia
minimal pelvic pain, vaginal
discharge or cervical motion
tenderness
[Link]
Tubo-ovarian abcess
A tubo-ovarian complex is a name used for oedema of the
salpinx which is adherent to the ovary, uterus, pelvic wall,
and/or bowel, but without abscedation.
A tuboo-varian abscess is an inflammatory mass
(collection of pus) involving the fallopian tube, ovary, and
other adjacent pelvic organs (ex: bowel, bladder)
[Link]
Tubo-ovarian abcess
Usually a complication Polymicrobial infection
of pelvic inflammatory (aerobic and anaerobic)
disease The most common
Serious and potentially
microorganisms isolated
life-threatening from tubo-ovarian
condition abscess are Escherichia
Mortality rate: 5-10% Coli and Bacteroides
Chlamydia trachomatis
and Neisseria
gonorrhoeae are rarely
isolated from tubo-
ovarian abscess
[Link]
Acute PID : diagnostic approach
[Link]
disease-24890282
Acute PID : diagnostic approach
[Link]
disease-24890282
Flow chart Showing Clinical Diagnosis of PID
Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 2011 (2011), Article ID 753037, 6 pages
[Link]
Management
Regimens used to treat PID should be effective against N.
gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis and anaerobic microbes
Treatment should be initiated as soon as presumptive
diagnosis has been made, for prevention of long-term
sequelae
Management
Outpatient treatment
Acute salpingitis, but temperature <39 C
Minimal lower abdominal findings
Non toxic patient
Mild or moderate clinical severity - oral regimens
Management
Hospitalisation
surgical emergencies (e.g., appendicitis) cannot be
excluded
tubo-ovarian abscess
severe illness, nausea and vomiting, or high fever
pregnancy
unable to follow or tolerate an outpatient oral regimen
no clinical response to oral antimicrobial therapy
CDC -2010 criteria
Management
Recommended Parenteral Regimens
Cefotetan 2 g IV every 12 hours PLUS Doxycycline 100 mg orally or IV every
12 hours
Cefoxitin 2 g IV every 6 hours PLUS Doxycycline 100 mg orally or IV every
12 hours
Clindamycin 900 mg IV every 8 hours PLUS Gentamicin loading dose IV or
IM (2 mg/kg), followed by a maintenance dose (1.5 mg/kg) every 8 hours.
Single daily dosing (3–5 mg/kg) can be substituted.
CDC. 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines
Management
Parenteral therapy can be discontinued 24 hours after
clinical improvement, but oral therapy should continue to
complete 14 days of treatment
Limited data are available to support use of other parenteral
second- or third-generation cephalosporins (ex: ceftizoxime,
cefotaxime, and ceftriaxone)
CDC. 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines
Management
Alternative Parenteral Regimens
Ampicillin/Sulbactam 3 g IV every 6 hours
PLUS
Doxycycline 100 mg orally or IV every 12 hours
azithromycin, either as monotherapy for 1 week (500 mg IV daily for 1 or 2
doses followed by 250 mg orally for 5–6 days) or combined with a 12-day
course of metronidazole
CDC. 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines
Management
Recommended Intramuscular/Oral Regimens
Ceftriaxone 250 mg IM in a single dose
PLUS
Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice a day for 14 days
WITH* or WITHOUT
Metronidazole 500 mg orally twice a day for 14 days
Other parenteral third-generation cephalosporin (e.g., ceftizoxime or
cefotaxime)
PLUS
Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice a day for 14 days
WITH* or WITHOUT
Metronidazole 500 mg orally twice a day for 14 days
CDC. 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines
Management
Alternative Intramuscular/Oral Regimens
Azithromycin has demonstrated short-term clinical effectiveness in one
randomized trial when used as monotherapy (500 mg IV daily for 1–2 doses,
followed by 250 mg orally daily for 12–14 days) or in combination with
metronidazole (745),
and in another study, it was effective when used 1 g orally once a week for 2
weeks in combination with ceftriaxone 250 mg IM single dose
CDC. 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines
Management
As a result of the emergence of quinolone-resistant N.
gonorrhoeae, regimens that include a quinolone agent are
no longer routinely recommended for the treatment of PID.
CDC. 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines
Other Management Considerations
Abstinence from sexual intercourse until therapy is
completed, and symptoms have resolved.
All women who received a diagnosis of acute PID should
be tested for HIV, as well as GC and chlamydia, using
NAAT.
Men who have had sexual contact with a woman with PID
during the 60 days preceding her onset of symptoms
should be evaluated, tested, and presumptively treated for
chlamydia and gonorrhea, regardless of the etiology of
PID or pathogens isolated from the woman.
CDC. 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines
Follow-Up
Women should demonstrate clinical improvement within
3 days after initiation of therapy.
If no clinical improvement has occurred within 72 hours
after outpatient IM/oral therapy, hospitalization,
assessment of the antimicrobial regimen, and additional
diagnostics (including consideration of diagnostic
laparoscopy for alternative diagnoses) are recommended.
All women who have received a diagnosis of chlamydial
or gonococcal PID should be retested 3 months after
treatment, regardless of whether their sex partners were
treated.
CDC. 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines
[Link]
disease-24890282
Indications for surgery
1. Ruptured abcess
2. Failed response to medical treatment
3. Uncertain diagnosis
Types of surgeries
1. Colpotomy
2. Percutaneous drainage/aspiration
3. Laparoscopy – GOLD STANDARD
4. Exploratory laparotomy
Extend of surgeries
1. Conservation – if fertility desired
(salpingolysis, salpingostomy)
2. Oophorectomy ± Histerectomy
3. Drainage of abcess
Prevention
Primary prevention
Sexual counseling (safe sex, limit number of sexual
partners, avoid contact with risk partners, etc).
Barrier methods of contraception
Secondary prevention
Screening for infection in high risk population
Early diagnosis and treatment of STD
Tertiary prevention
Early treatment of PID
References
2012 European Guideline for the Management of Pelvic Inflammatory
Disease.
CDC. 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines.
Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
Treatment Guidelines 2010.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.
2010;59:413-17.
Brunham RC et al. N Engl J Med 2015;372:2039-2048
[Link]
24890282
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