Serum procalcitonin levels together with clinical features and inflammatory markers in women with tubo-ovarian abscess for discriminating requirements for surgery for full recovery

Risk factors for antibiotic therapy failure in women with tubo-ovarian abscess: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

Medical therapy with antibiotics only and surgical drainage are the treatment options of tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA). It is not yet known exactly which cases need surgical treatment. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the risk factors leading antibiotic therapy failure in women with TOA.

METHODS

We searched the following databases from inception to June 1, 2022: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, and Scopus. We also searched reference lists of eligible articles and related review articles. The observational cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. At least four review authors independently selected eligible articles, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data. The random effect model was used in the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 29 studies, including 2890 women, were included in the study. The age, abscess size, history of intrauterine device use, postmenopausal status, history of diabetes mellitus, fever, white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, and history of pelvic inflammatory disease were found as significant risk factors for antibiotic therapy failure in women with TOA.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study clarified the risk factors for antibiotic therapy failure in women with TOA.

The role of systemic immune inflammation index in predicting treatment success in tuboovarian abscesses

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the predictability of the systemic immune inflammation index (SII) on the response to medical treatment in tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA).

METHODS

296 patients with TOA in a tertiary center were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: Group1 (n  =  165) included patients in whom medical treatment was successful, and Group2 (n  =  131) included patients in whom surgery was required. Demographic, sonographic and laboratory findings were compared between groups. SII was calculated using peripheral blood parameters [SII  =  (platelets ∗ neutrophils)/lymphocytes].

RESULTS

Age, BMI, gravida, parity, smoking and menopausal status, CRP levels of patients were similar in both groups (p  >  0.05). Mass size (4.398 ± 0.306 vs 7.683 ± 0.689, p  <  0.001), white blood cell (WBC) (8685.08 ± 3981.98 vs 9994.35 ± 4468.024, p = 0.008), Hb (12.18 ± 1.65 vs 11.68 ± 1.65, p = 0.010), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (151.26 ± 74.83 vs 230.77 ± 140.25, p < 0.001), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (4.21 ± 3.27 vs 6.07 ± 6.6, p  =  0.003), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) (0.300 ± 0.177 vs 0.346 ± 0.203, p = 0.041) and SII (1014.18 ± 781.71 vs 2094.088 ± 2117.58, p < 0.001) were statistically higher in group 2. ROC Analysis was used to determine the predictability of the variables and PLR (AUC = 0.718, p  <  0.001), NLR (AUC = 0.593, p  =  0.593), MLR (AUC = 0.576, p  =  0.024), SII (AUC  =  0.723, p  <  0.001) and size of mass (AUC = 0.670, p  <  0.001) were found to be significant. The SII, size of mass and bilateral involvement of adnexa were found to be the strongest prognostic factors for surgical intervention (OR:1.004 (1.002-1.005), OR:1.018 (1.010-1.027), OR:3.397 (1.338-8.627); p  <  0.001, p  <  0.001, p  =  0.010 resspectively).

CONCLUSION

SII, size of mass and bilaterality can be used to predict medical treatment success in patients with TOA.

Antibiotic Resistance and Mechanisms of Pathogenic Bacteria in Tubo-Ovarian Abscess

A tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a common type of inflammatory lump in clinical practice. TOA is an important, life-threatening disease, and it has become more common in recent years, posing a major health risk to women. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents are necessary to cover the most likely pathogens because the pathogens that cause TOA are polymicrobial. However, the response rate of antibiotic treatment is about 70%, whereas one-third of patients have poor clinical consequences and they require drainage or surgery. Rising antimicrobial resistance serves as a significant reason for the unsatisfactory medical outcomes. It is important to study the antibiotic resistance mechanism of TOA pathogens in solving the problems of multi-drug resistant strains. This paper focuses on the most common pathogenic bacteria isolated from TOA specimens and discusses the emerging trends and epidemiology of resistant Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis, and gram-positive anaerobic cocci. Besides that, new methods that aim to solve the antibiotic resistance of related pathogens are discussed, such as CRISPR, nanoparticles, bacteriophages, antimicrobial peptides, and pathogen-specific monoclonal antibodies. Through this review, we hope to reveal the current situation of antibiotic resistance of common TOA pathogens, relevant mechanisms, and possible antibacterial strategies, providing references for the clinical treatment of drug-resistant pathogens.

The role of systemic inflammatory markers in prediction of medical treatment failure in patients with tubo-ovarian abscess

Aim: Aimed to evaluate the role of systemic inflammatory markers and Aspartate aminotransferase to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) sore in predicting medical treatment failure in patients with Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA). Materials and Methods: Patients (n=240) hospitalized with a diagnosis of TOA between August 2016 - October 2020 were included in the study. Patients' demographic and clinical characteristics and mean C-Reactive protein (CRP) level, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and APRI score measured on admission were also recorded. The role of these parameters was investigated in predicting medical treatment failure in patients who only received medical treatment or who needed surgical treatment. Results: The mean age (40.95 ± 6.96 vs. 38.09 ± 7.69), abscess size (67.57 ± 19.86 mm vs. 52.78 ± 16.63 mm), CRP level, (140.61 ± 110.88 vs. 75.24 ± 36.64 mg/L), white blood cell count (13818.86 ± 5445.80 and 11845.31 ± 4424.39 μL), neutrophil count (11146.81 ± 5284.83 and 9242.03 ± 4278.60 μL) and NLR (9.52 ± 6.88 and 6.64 ± 6.30) of patients who received surgical treatment were significantly higher than those who received only medical treatment. In receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis area under the curve (AUC) 0.607 was statistically significant for CRP with a cut-off value of 11.57 to predict medical treatment failure (95% 0.531-0.682, sensitivity 63.3%, specificity 55.4%). Conclusion: NLR, PLR and APRI score are ineffective in predicting the need for surgical treatment. CRP could be used as a marker in predicting the need for surgical treatment in patients with TOA.

The role of systemic inflammatory markers in prediction of medical treatment failure in patients with tubo-ovarian abscess

Aim: Aimed to evaluate the role of systemic inflammatory markers and Aspartate aminotransferase to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) sore in predicting medical treatment failure in patients with Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA). Materials and Methods: Patients (n=240) hospitalized with a diagnosis of TOA between August 2016 - October 2020 were included in the study. Patients' demographic and clinical characteristics and mean C-Reactive protein (CRP) level, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and APRI score measured on admission were also recorded. The role of these parameters was investigated in predicting medical treatment failure in patients who only received medical treatment or who needed surgical treatment. Results: The mean age (40.95 ± 6.96 vs. 38.09 ± 7.69), abscess size (67.57 ± 19.86 mm vs. 52.78 ± 16.63 mm), CRP level, (140.61 ± 110.88 vs. 75.24 ± 36.64 mg/L), white blood cell count (13818.86 ± 5445.80 and 11845.31 ± 4424.39 μL), neutrophil count (11146.81 ± 5284.83 and 9242.03 ± 4278.60 μL) and NLR (9.52 ± 6.88 and 6.64 ± 6.30) of patients who received surgical treatment were significantly higher than those who received only medical treatment. In receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis area under the curve (AUC) 0.607 was statistically significant for CRP with a cut-off value of 11.57 to predict medical treatment failure (95% 0.531-0.682, sensitivity 63.3%, specificity 55.4%). Conclusion: NLR, PLR and APRI score are ineffective in predicting the need for surgical treatment. CRP could be used as a marker in predicting the need for surgical treatment in patients with TOA.

Pelvic inflammatory disease in the adolescent and young adult: An update

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female upper genital tract that is typically polymicrobial with classic core involvement of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and/or Chlamydia trachomatis, though other endogenous flora from the vagino-cervical areas can be involved as well. It is often a sexually transmitted disease but other etiologic routes are also noted. A variety of risk factors have been identified including adolescence, young adulthood, adolescent cervical ectropion, multiple sexual partners, immature immune system, history of previous PID, risky contraceptive practices and others. An early diagnosis and prompt treatment are necessary to reduce risks of PID complications such as chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Current management principles of PID are also reviewed. It is important for clinicians to screen sexually active females for common sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis and provide safer sex education to their adolescent and young adult patients. Clinicians should provide comprehensive management to persons with PID and utilize established guidelines such as those from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Minimally invasive approach to the management of tubo-ovarian abscesses

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this publication is to review the most up-to-date literature regarding the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of tubo-ovarian abscesses.

RECENT FINDINGS

Prior to the advent of broad-spectrum antibiotics, tubo-ovarian abscesses necessitated total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Although it carries a risk of treatment failure, antibiotic therapy enabled fertility-sparing treatment for many women. Recent studies have identified key predictors for antibiotic treatment failure, including age, BMI and abscess diameter. C-reactive protein was also found to be a strong predictor of antibiotic treatment response. Given the growing evidence of treatment failure with antibiotic therapy alone, along with increased availability and access to interventional radiology, image-guided drainage with or without catheter placement, combined with broad-spectrum antibiotics, is now considered first-line therapy.

SUMMARY

Tubo-ovarian abscess is a diagnostic challenge, as presentation can vary. Inadequate treatment is associated with severe morbidity and mortality. Despite adequate conservative treatment, recurrence risk is high and clinical sequelae can have devastating effects on reproductive health. Recent evidence-based developments, including a risk score system to predict antibiotic failure, serve to provide appropriately directed risk-based care. However, large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify the most appropriate treatment modalities.

The effect of intrauterine device presence and other factors in medical treatment success of tuboovarian abscess

BACKGROUND

To identify the epidemiologic and clinical risk factors associated with failed response to medical treatment in tuboovarian abscess (TOA) patients and whether there is a relationship between the presence of intrauterine device (IUD), duration of use and medical treatment success or not.

METHODS

For this study, the medical records of patients diagnosed with TOA and hospitalized in an 8-year period were analyzed retrospectively. The presence of TOA and IUD was confirmed ultrasonographically in all patients. Parenteral antibiotic treatment was initiated as the first step. Patients who did not improve with this medical treatment underwent surgery. Patients who recovered with medical treatment were defined as the successful group, while those who underwent surgery after medical treatment failure were recorded as the failed group.

RESULTS

There were 37 patients in successful group and 87 patients in failed group. The mean age, parity, white blood count, TOA size, duration of IUD use, rate of multigravida and multiparity were higher in the failed group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that presence of multiparity, TOA size and the duration of IUD use were significant independent factors in predicting medical treatment success of TOA. The best cut-off value for TOA size was 4.5 cm and for duration of IUD use was 5.5 years in the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis.

CONCLUSION

The presence of long-term IUD use, increased TOA size, and multiparity were found to be risk factors related to the failure of medical treatment in TOA cases.

The predictive role of CA-125 in the management of tubo-ovarian abscess. A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a well-established sequel of acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). While as up to 25% of women will experience conservative treatment failure, the factors associated with treatment failure are not clearly-established, and the role of Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is under-studied. We aim to evaluate the role of CA-125 in the conservative management of TOA.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study conducted at tertiary university-affiliated hospital during 2007-2018. Ninety one patients were diagnosed with a TOA and underwent a trial of conservative management with intravenous antibiotics. Patients who eventually underwent surgical intervention were compared with patients managed conservatively.

RESULTS

Overall, 39/91 (42.8%) underwent an invasive intervention subsequent to failed antibiotic treatment. Patients who experienced conservative treatment failure had higher medians of inflammatory markers as CRP (15.7 vs. 10.8 mg/L, p = 0.02), WBC count (14.2 vs. 12.4 1,000/mm³, p = 0.04) and platelet count (374 vs. 295 10⁹/L, p = 0.04) at admission. Higher levels of CA-125 at admission were found in those who required an invasive intervention (57 vs. 30 U\ml, p = 0.02) as well. The largest diameter of TOA at admission was higher in those who required an invasive intervention as compared to those who were successfully treated conservatively (75 mm vs. 57 mm, p = 0.01). CA-125 level was found to be the only independent factor associated with conservative treatment failure (OR; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27, 1.08-1.48, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Elevated CA-125 serum levels were found to be associated with failure of conservative parenteral antibiotic therapy for TOA. This finding should be better evaluated in a prospective manner.