The Burden of and Trends in Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in the United States, 2006-2016

IL-17C is a driver of damaging inflammation during Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection of human Fallopian tube

The human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae ascends into the upper female reproductive tract to cause damaging inflammation within the Fallopian tubes and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), increasing the risk of infertility and ectopic pregnancy. The loss of ciliated cells from the epithelium is thought to be both a consequence of inflammation and a cause of adverse sequelae. However, the links between infection, inflammation, and ciliated cell extrusion remain unresolved. With the use of ex vivo cultures of human Fallopian tube paired with RNA sequencing we defined the tissue response to gonococcal challenge, identifying cytokine, chemokine, cell adhesion, and apoptosis related transcripts not previously recognized as potentiators of gonococcal PID. Unexpectedly, IL-17C was one of the most highly induced genes. Yet, this cytokine has no previous association with gonococcal infection nor pelvic inflammatory disease and thus it was selected for further characterization. We show that human Fallopian tubes express the IL-17C receptor on the epithelial surface and that treatment with purified IL-17C induces pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in addition to sloughing of the epithelium and generalized tissue damage. These results demonstrate a previously unrecognized but critical role of IL-17C in the damaging inflammation induced by gonococci in a human explant model of PID.

Clinical Decision Support System for Guidelines-Based Treatment of Gonococcal Infections, Screening for HIV, and Prescription of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: Design and Implementation Study

BACKGROUND

The syndemic nature of gonococcal infections and HIV provides an opportunity to develop a synergistic intervention tool that could address the need for adequate treatment for gonorrhea, screen for HIV infections, and offer pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for persons who meet the criteria. By leveraging information available on electronic health records, a clinical decision support (CDS) system tool could fulfill this need and improve adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) treatment and screening guidelines for gonorrhea, HIV, and PrEP.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to translate portions of CDC treatment guidelines for gonorrhea and relevant portions of HIV screening and prescribing PrEP that stem from a diagnosis of gonorrhea as an electronic health record-based CDS intervention. We also assessed whether this CDS solution worked in real-world clinic.

METHODS

We developed 4 tools for this CDS intervention: a form for capturing sexual history information (SmartForm), rule-based alerts (best practice advisory), an enhanced sexually transmitted infection (STI) order set (SmartSet), and a documentation template (SmartText). A mixed methods pre-post design was used to measure the feasibility, use, and usability of the CDS solution. The study period was 12 weeks with a baseline patient sample of 12 weeks immediately prior to the intervention period for comparison. While the entire clinic had access to the CDS solution, we focused on a subset of clinicians who frequently engage in the screening and treatment of STIs within the clinical site under the name "X-Clinic." We measured the use of the CDS solution within the population of patients who had either a confirmed gonococcal infection or an STI-related chief complaint. We conducted 4 midpoint surveys and 3 key informant interviews to quantify perception and impact of the CDS solution and solicit suggestions for potential future enhancements. The findings from qualitative data were determined using a combination of explorative and comparative analysis. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the differences between patient populations in the baseline and intervention periods.

RESULTS

Within the X-Clinic, the CDS alerted clinicians (as a best practice advisory) in one-tenth (348/3451, 10.08%) of clinical encounters. These 348 encounters represented 300 patients; SmartForms were opened for half of these patients (157/300, 52.33%) and was completed for most for them (147/300, 89.81%). STI test orders (SmartSet) were initiated by clinical providers in half of those patients (162/300, 54%). HIV screening was performed during about half of those patient encounters (191/348, 54.89%).

CONCLUSIONS

We successfully built and implemented multiple CDC treatment and screening guidelines into a single cohesive CDS solution. The CDS solution was integrated into the clinical workflow and had a high rate of use.

A randomized, double-blind, positive-controlled, Phase-II clinical trial to evaluate efficacy and safety of Fuke Qianjin capsule in Pakistani patients with pelvic inflammatory disease

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a frequently occurring gynecological disorder mainly caused by the inflammation of a woman's upper genital tract. Generally, antibiotics are used for treating PID, but prolonged use poses potential risks of gut bacterial imbalance, bacterial resistance, super bacteria production, and associated adverse reactions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown unique advantages in various ailments and has received widespread clinical research attention. Fuke Qianjin (FUKE) capsule is an approved National Medical Products Administration (NMPA License No. Z20020024) Chinese herbal prescription that has been widely used individually or in combination with other Western medicines for the treatment of various gynecological inflammatory diseases, including chronic cervicitis, endometritis, and chronic PID. Aim: This clinical trial was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of FUKE capsule in mild-to-moderate symptomatic PID patients. Materials and methods: This phase 2, randomized, double-blind, positive controlled clinical trial was conducted in mild-to-moderate symptomatic PID patients at a single center in Pakistan from 21 September 2021 to 11 March 2022. Eligible female participants were randomly assigned to a test and a control group with a ratio of 1:1. The test group subjects received two metronidazole (METRO) tablets and one doxycycline hyclate (DOXY) simulant at a time, twice daily for 14 days, and two Fuke Qianjin (FUKE) capsules, three times a day after a meal for 28 days. Subjects in the control group received two METRO tablets and one DOXY tablet at a time, twice daily for 14 days, and two FUKE simulant capsules, three times a day after meal for 28 days. The primary efficacy outcome was an improvement in pelvic pain symptoms assessed through a visual analog scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes were the improvement in secondary efficacy symptoms like local physical signs, clinical assessment of leucorrhea and cervical secretions through laboratory examination, and improvement in the maximum area of pelvic effusion assessed through gynecological ultrasound after the treatment. The safety outcomes were assessed through vital signs, laboratory tests, electrocardiogram findings, and adverse events/serious adverse events. Results: A total of 198 subjects with active PID were randomly assigned to a test group (n = 99) and a control group (n = 99). The baseline characteristics of the subjects in the two groups were similar. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the primary efficacy was 84.9% for the test group and 71.6% for the control group, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0370; 95% CI -0.2568 to -0.0088). The secondary clinical efficacy was 88.4% for the test group and 82.7% for the control group, with no significant difference (p = 0.2977; 95% CI -0.1632 to 0.0501). The improvement in local physical signs was 95.8% for the test group and 76.9% for the control group, with no significant difference (p = 0.0542; 95% CI -0.3697 to -0.0085). The inter-group non-inferiority comparison showed that the upper limit of the 95% CI was less than 0.15 and thus met the non-inferiority requirements of the test group to the control group. The results of clinical signs of leucorrhea and cervical secretions showed that there was no difference in the rate of improvement between the test and control groups, indicating that FUKE was non-inferior to DOXY. A total of 14 adverse events in eight subjects were observed in the trial, with an incidence rate of 4.7%. Four subjects in each group experienced seven adverse events with 4.5% and 4.8% incidence rates of adverse reactions in the test and control groups, with no statistically significant differences (p = 0.2001). No serious adverse events occurred in the trial. Conclusion: The results of this trial indicate that the test drug (Fuke Qianjin capsule) is non-inferior to the control drug (doxycycline hyclate tablet) in treating mild-to-moderate PID patients with comparable efficacy, safety, and tolerability to the control drug. Clinical Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT04723069.

Efficacy of Acupuncture Combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine Fumigation Therapy in Sequelae of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine fumigation is increasingly being used in treating sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease (SPID). However, there is a lack of meta-analysis on the effectiveness of acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine fumigation in treating SPID. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of combining acupuncture with traditional Chinese medicine fumigation in the treatment of SPID.

METHODS

We searched eight databases for studies on acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine fumigation for the treatment of SPID from the date of establishment to October 29, 2022. We assessed the quality of included studies by using the Cochrane bias risk tool. Pooled results were expressed as risk ratios (RRs), with a 95% confidence interval (CI). In addition, we identified sources of heterogeneity by sensitivity analysis, assessed publication bias by Egger's test, and assessed the quality of the evidence by Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). All statistical analyses were performed by Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 14.

RESULTS

Finally, seven studies with a total of 663 participants were included. We found a significant difference in the total effective rate in the acupuncture combined with the fumigation group compared with the acupuncture group in the treatment of SPID (RR = 1.17, 95% CI [1.09, 1.25], p = 0.0001 < 0.05; I2 = 0%; 6 trials), and a significant difference in the total effective rate in the acupuncture combined with fumigation group compared with the fumigation group in the treatment of SPID (RR = 1.42, 95% CI [1.21, 1.66], p = 0.0001 < 0.05; 5 trials).

CONCLUSION

The clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with herbal fumigation in the treatment of SPID is relatively good. Larger scale studies are needed in the future.

Hintergrund und Ziel

Akupunktur in Kombination mit Fumigation, einem Verfahren der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin, wird zunehmend in der Behandlung von Folgeerscheinungen von Beckenentzündungen (SPID; sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease) eingesetzt. Es mangelt jedoch an Metaanalysen zur Wirksamkeit der Akupunktur in Kombination mit Fumigation gemäß der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin in der Behandlung von SPID. Das Ziel dieser Studie ist die Beurteilung der Machbarkeit der Kombination aus Akupunktur und Fumigation gemäß der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin in der Behandlung von SPID.

Methoden

Wir durchsuchten acht Datenbanken nach Studien zur Akupunktur in Kombination mit Fumigation gemäß der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin in der Behandlung von Folgeerscheinungen von SPID von der Einrichtung bis zum 29. Oktober 2022. Wir beurteilten die Qualität der eingeschlossenen Studien mit dem Cochrane-Tool zur Bewertung des Bias-Risikos. Die gepoolten Ergebnisse wurden als Risikoquotient (RR; risk ratio) mit 95%-Konfidenzintervall (KI) ausgedrückt. Zusätzlich identifizierten wir Quellen für Heterogenität mittels Sensitivitätsanalyse, beurteilten den Publikations-Bias mittels Egger-Test und bewerteten die Qualität der Evidenz nach Grad der Empfehlungsstärke, Beurteilung, Entwicklung und Evaluierung (GRADE). Alle statistischen Analysen erfolgten mit Review Manager 5.3 und Stata 14.

Ergebnisse

Im Endeffekt wurden 7 Studien mit insgesamt 663 Teilnehmern eingeschlossen. Wir fanden einen signifikanten Unterschied in der Gesamt-Effektivitätsrate bei der Gruppe, die zur Behandlung von SPID Akupunktur in Kombination mit Fumigation erhielt, im Vergleich zur reinen Akupunkturgruppe (RR = 1,17; 95%-KI [1,09; 1,25]; p = 0,0001 < 0,05; I2-Wert = 0%; 6 Studien), und einen signifikanten Unterschied in der Gesamt-Effektivitätsrate bei der Gruppe, die zur Behandlung von SPID Akupunktur in Kombination mit Fumigation erhielt, im Vergleich zur reinen Fumigationsgruppe (RR = 1,42; 95%-KI [1,21; 1,66]; p = 0,0001 < 0,05; 5 Studien).

Schlussfolgerung

Die klinische Wirksamkeit der Akupunktur in Kombination mit Kräuter-Fumigation zur Behandlung von SPID ist relativ gut. Zukünftig sind größere Studien erforderlich.

Comparison of risk prediction models for the progression of pelvic inflammatory disease patients to sepsis: Cox regression model and machine learning model

Introduction

The present study presents the development and validation of a clinical prediction model using random survival forest (RSF) and stepwise Cox regression, aiming to predict the probability of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) progressing to sepsis.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted, gathering clinical data of patients diagnosed with PID between 2008 and 2019 from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV database. Patients who met the Sepsis 3.0 diagnostic criteria were selected, with sepsis as the outcome. Univariate Cox regression and stepwise Cox regression were used to screen variables for constructing a nomogram. Moreover, an RSF model was created using machine learning algorithms. To verify the model's performance, a calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were utilized. Furthermore, the capabilities of the two models for estimating the incidence of sepsis in PID patients within 3 and 7 days were compared.

Results

A total of 1064 PID patients were included, of whom 54 had progressed to sepsis. The established nomogram highlighted dialysis, reduced platelet (PLT) counts, history of pneumonia, medication of glucocorticoids, and increased leukocyte counts as significant predictive factors. The areas under the curve (AUCs) of the nomogram for prediction of PID progression to sepsis at 3-day and 7-day (3-/7-day) in the training set and the validation set were 0.886/0.863 and 0.824/0.726, respectively, and the C-index of the model was 0.8905. The RSF displayed excellent performance, with AUCs of 0.939/0.919 and 0.712/0.571 for 3-/7-day risk prediction in the training set and validation set, respectively.

Conclusion

The nomogram accurately predicted the incidence of sepsis in PID patients, and relevant risk factors were identified. While the RSF model outperformed the Cox regression models in predicting sepsis incidence, its performance exhibited some instability. On the other hand, the Cox regression-based nomogram displayed stable performance and improved interpretability, thereby supporting clinical decision-making in PID treatment.

The Impact and Correlation of Anxiety and Depression on Pressure Pain Threshold of Acupoints in Patients with Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Background

Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID) is a clinically common gynecological disease. Patients experience chronic pelvic pain and often accompany with emotional dysfunction. However, the impact and correlation of anxiety and depression on pain sensitization is not completely known.

Objective

To explore the differences and correlations among anxiety, depression, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of acupoints in patients with CPID.

Methods

One hundred and forty-seven patients with CPID were recruited. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) were used to assess pain. Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to evaluate the emotional state of patients. The PPT of acupoints was collected using an electronic Von Frey by two licensed acupuncturists.

Results

The CPID patients were divided into anxiety-depression group (group A) or nonanxiety-depression group (group B), according to the SAS and SDS scores. Finally, there were 73 patients in group A and 74 patients in group B. Group A had significantly higher SAS, SDS, VAS, and SF-MPQ scores than group B (P < 0.05). In addition, significant differences were observed in the PPTs of ST28 (R), ST29 (R), SP10 (R), SP9 (R), SP9 (L), ST36 (R), and LR3 (L) between the two groups (P < 0.05). No considerable differences in PPTs at the other acupoints were observed between the two groups. SAS scores showed a positive correlation with PPTs of ST29 (R), SP10 (R), SP9 (L), ST36 (R), and LR3 (L). No remarkable correlation was observed between the SDS scores and PPTs.

Conclusion

Anxiety and depression can affect the PPT of some acupoints in CPID patients, which may provide a reference for acupoint selection for acupuncture treatment of CPID with emotional disorders. This trial is registered with ChiCTR2100052632.

Association between heavy metal exposures and the prevalence of pelvic inflammatory disease: a cross-sectional study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2018

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a common medical condition in women. However, the correlation between exposure to heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), and selenium (Se), and PID, is unclear. Using a large sample size from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, these relationships were studied and verified. PID diagnosis was acquired through a self-reported questionnaire (2013-2018). Heavy metal exposure (Cd, Pb, Mn, Hg, and Se) was measured using mass spectrometry of blood samples. Covariate data were obtained through questionnaires and physical tests. Individuals with complete covariate data were included in the study. The relationship between heavy metal exposure (Cd, Pb, Mn, Hg, and Se) and PID was demonstrated using logistic regression analysis, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression analysis, and restricted cubic splines (RCS). Overall, 2743 participants were included. Of these, 183 were diagnosed with PID. Through weighted univariate and multivariate regression analyses, the heavy metals of Cd and Pb were positively correlated with the prevalence of PID. However, no significant relationship was observed in the heavy metals of Mn, Hg, and Se. The joint effect of heavy metals further confirmed the important role of Cd and Pb in WQS analysis. After visualizing the RCS, significant curved and linear relationships were observed for Cd and Pb, respectively. Most subgroup analyses confirmed these results. In conclusion, exposure to Cd was nonlinearly correlated with the risk of PID, whereas exposure to Pb showed a linear relationship. Our findings increase the awareness of the environmental effects of exposure to heavy metals in PID. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the causality and underlying mechanisms between heavy metal exposure and the prevalence of PID.

Gynecologists and pelvic inflammatory disease: do we actually know what to do?: A cross-sectional study in Jordan

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an upper genital tract infection caused by a variety of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms ascending from the cervix or vagina. Though PID is mainly a sexually transmitted disease; 15% are non-sexually transmitted.[1] In our study, we aim to assess gynecologists' understanding and awareness of PID; as it presents an important health issue affecting the Jordanian community and similar communities with the same cultural and religious backgrounds. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire that received responses from 172 gynecologists in Jordan. The questionnaire aimed at testing gynecologists' knowledge of different aspects of PID starting with diagnosis and ending with management. 68.6% of gynecologists acknowledged that PID is a problem in Jordan. However, obvious confusion was observed in the scopes of clinical presentation, choosing the most reliable PID investigations, and treatment. PID is not being addressed properly in a sexually conservative community that has low rates of sexually transmitted diseases like Jordan, which is misleading and dangerous. In addition, we think there is a lack of certain standards on how to define PID and acknowledge its effect on the community as well as the disappointing level of knowledge about different aspects of PID gynecologists show, starting with its prevalence and ending with treatment policy. Clearer guidelines for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of PID should be adopted. These findings should be acknowledged by all doctors from neighboring countries as well as those within similar communities to Jordan.

Global burden of pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy from 1990 to 2019

BACKGROUND

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a widespread female public problem worldwide. And it could lead to infertility, preterm labor, chronic pelvic pain, and ectopic pregnancy (EP) among reproductive-aged women. This study aimed to assess the global burden and trends as well as the chaning correlation between PID and EP in reproductive-aged women from 1990 to 2019.

METHODS

The data of PID and EP among reproductive-aged women (15 to 49 years old) were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019. The disease burden was assessed by calculating the case numbers and age-standardized rates (ASR). The changing trends and correlation were evaluated by calculating the estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) and Pearson's correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

In 2019, the ASR of PID prevalence was 53.19 per 100,000 population with a decreasing trend from 1990 (EAPC: - 0.50), while the ASR of EP incidence was 342.44 per 100,000 population with a decreasing trend from 1990 (EAPC: - 1.15). Globally, PID and EP burdens changed with a strong positive correlation (Cor = 0.89) globally from 1990 to 2019. In 2019, Western Sub-Saharan Africa, Australasia, and Central Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest ASR of PID prevalence, and Oceania, Eastern Europe, and Southern Latin America had the highest ASR of EP incidence. Only Western Europe saw significant increasing PID trends, while Eastern Europe and Western Europe saw increasing EP trends. The highest correlations between PID and EP burden were observed in Burkina Faso, Laos, and Bhutan. General negative correlations between the socio-demographic index and the ASR of PID prevalence and the ASR of EP incidence were observed at the national levels.

CONCLUSION

PID and EP continue to be public health burdens with a strong correlation despite slightly decreasing trends detected in ASRs globally. Effective interventions and strategies should be established according to the local situation by policymakers.

Association of Neighborhood Economic Status and Race With Developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease After Sexually Transmitted Infections

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association of neighborhood-level socioeconomic status (SES) and race with developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) after sexually transmitted infection (STI) among female adolescents and young adults in Maryland.

METHODS

We used Maryland statewide hospital claims data (outpatient and inpatient visits) for this retrospective cohort study. Female adolescents and young adults aged 15-24 years who had at least one STI from July 1, 2013, to March 31, 2015, were included. A participant entered the cohort on the date of the first STI diagnosis and was followed up until PID occurrence or 3 years after the first STI. Median household income of the participant's residential ZIP code tabulation area was used as the neighborhood-level SES. Discrete-time hazard models were used to estimate the hazard of PID.

RESULTS

Of the 2,873 participants, 88.5% were of Black race, and 67.2% were aged 20-24 years. The hazard of PID after an STI among Black women was 1.40 times that of White women (95% CI 1.06-1.85). After adjustment for age, insurance type, and number of STI events, the hazard ratio (HR) did not change. However, adding neighborhood-level SES to the model attenuated the disparity in PID after STI between Black and White women (HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.94-1.67).

CONCLUSION

Racial disparities in PID diagnosis are mitigated by neighborhood-level SES.

Diagnosed Gonorrhea Among Privately Insured Women: Analysis of United States Claims Data

Background: Gonorrhea incidence in the United States has risen by nearly 50% in the last decade, while screening rates have increased. Gonorrhea sequelae rates could indicate whether increased gonorrhea incidence is due to better screening. We estimated the association of gonorrhea diagnosis with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy (EP), and tubal factor infertility (TFI) in women and detected changes in associations over time. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 5,553,506 women aged 18-49 tested for gonorrhea in the IBM MarketScan claims administrative database from 2013-2018 in the United States. We estimated incidence rates and hazard ratios (HRs) of gonorrhea diagnosis for each outcome, adjusting for potential confounders using Cox proportional hazards models. We tested the interaction between gonorrhea diagnosis and the initial gonorrhea test year to identify changes in associations over time. Results: We identified 32,729 women with a gonorrhea diagnosis (mean follow-up time in years: PID = 1.73, EP = 1.75, TFI = 1.76). A total of 131,500 women were diagnosed with PID, 64,225 had EP, and 41,507 had TFI. Women with gonorrhea diagnoses had greater incidence per 1000 person-years for all outcomes (PID = 33.5, EP = 9.4, TFI = 5.3) compared to women without gonorrhea diagnoses (PID = 13.9, EP = 6.7, TFI = 4.3). After adjustment, HRs were higher in women with a gonorrhea diagnosis vs. those without [PID = 2.29 (95% confidence interval, CI: 2.15-2.44), EP = 1.57, (95% CI: 1.41-1.76), TFI = 1.70 (95% CI: 1.47-1.97)]. The interaction of gonorrhea diagnosis and test year was not significant, indicating no change in relationship by initial test year. Conclusion: The relationship between gonorrhea and reproductive outcomes has persisted, suggesting a higher disease burden.

The severity of depression is associated with pelvic inflammatory diseases: A cross-sectional study of the United States National Health and Nutrition Examinations from 2013 to 2018

Purpose

As depression in patients with pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID) has received increasing attention in recent years, this study aims to investigate the relationship between depression severity and risk factors for pelvic inflammatory disease, and to provide new perspectives in the treatment of PID.

Patients and methods

Multivariate regression was used to evaluate the association between pelvic inflammatory disease and the severity of depression. Females who participated in the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2013 to 2018 were included. In addition, risk factors for PID and depression were also included in the analysis as adjustment factors.

Results

The risk of developing PID was associated with depressive status (odds ratio, OR 1.10, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.08–1.12), especially in people with severe depression (odds ratio, OR 6.34, 95% confidence interval, CI 3.72–10.79). Subgroup analysis showed differences in the risk of PID among people with different characteristics.

Conclusion

This study showed that there may be a potential positive association between depressive status and the prevalence of PID in the United States adult female population. Depression should be actively looked for in all patients with PID and treated appropriately

Identification and Treatment of Acute Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Associated Sequelae

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an ascending polymicrobial infection of the upper female genital tract. The presentation of PID varies from asymptomatic cases to severe sepsis. The diagnosis of PID is often one of exclusion. Primary treatment for PID includes broad-spectrum antibiotics with coverage against gonorrhea, chlamydia, and common anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. If not clinically improved by antibiotics, percutaneous drain placement can promote efficient source control, as is often the case with large tubo-ovarian abscesses. Ultimately, even with treatment, PID can result in long-term morbidity, including chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy.

Weighing Potential Benefits and Harms of Mycoplasma genitalium Testing and Treatment Approaches

This systematic review demonstrates increasing antimicrobial resistance and incomplete understanding of the bacterium’s natural history.

Since Mycoplasma genitalium was identified 40 years ago, much of the epidemiology has been described, diagnostic tests have been developed and approved, and recommended treatment approaches have been identified. However, the natural history remains incompletely understood, and antimicrobial resistance has rapidly increased. This review summarizes evidence published since the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2015 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines. Data on sequelae remain insufficient, macrolide resistance is common, and fluoroquinolone resistance is increasing. Potential benefits of testing and treatment include resolving symptoms, interrupting transmission, and preventing sequelae. Potential harms include cost, patient anxiety, and increasing antimicrobial resistance.

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.