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Biofilm formation on intrauterine devices in relation to duration of use

^1,2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology¹ and Institute of Clinical Microbiology², Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6701, PO Box 427, Hungary ³Institute of Medical Microbiology, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany

Correspondence E. Nagy nagye{at}mlab.szote.u-szeged.hu

Received 9 June 2005
Accepted 12 August 2005

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are highly effective, long-term methods of contraception; however, IUD use is limited due to concerns about an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and subsequent complications. A retrospective review of clinical and microbiological data of 127 participants was carried out over a 3 year period. IUDs were removed and sent for microbiological examination. A 10 year old IUD, removed because of the symptoms of PID, was investigated via both microbial culture and scanning electron microscopy. The primary objective of this study was to examine the bacteria present on removed IUDs after different times in situ by using aerobic and anaerobic culture methods. A close association of the distribution of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria on the IUDs with different times in situ was found.