Sterility of the uterine cavity

In a prospective open study the sterility of the uterine cavity was evaluated in 99 women admitted for hysterectomy. The indications for hysterectomy were in most cases persistent irregular vaginal bleeding and fibromyomas of the uterus. Samples for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis, yeasts and viruses were taken preoperatively from the apex of the vagina and cervical os. Immediately after hysterectomy the uterus was opened under sterile conditions and samples obtained from the isthmus and fundus of the uterine cavity for microbiological examination. Wet smears were taken from the same sites. Nearly a quarter of all the patients harbored one or more microorganisms in the uterus, mostly Gardnerella vaginalis, Enterobacter and Streptococcus agalactiae. We found that in a significant number of cases, the uterine cavity is colonized with potentially pathogenic organisms which may play a causative role in endometritis. The results indicate that inflammation of the uterine cavity should be evaluated by hysteroscopic examination before hysterectomy is undertaken in patients with persistent irregular vaginal bleeding.

Xanthine and hypoxanthine in amniotic fluid during pregnancy

Xanthine and hypoxanthine are indicators of cellular hypoxia. The purpose of our study was to establish a reference range for the concentrations of xanthine and hypoxanthine in amniotic fluid. Of a total of 38 included in the investigation, 27 pregnant women were found to have low values for xanthine (less than 1.2 mumol/l) and hypoxanthine (less than 0.4 mumol/l). To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to define a reference range for xanthine and hypoxanthine concentration in amniotic fluid during pregnancy.

Gardnerella vaginalis in posthysterectomy infection

Eighty-six women were admitted for abdominal hysterectomy. Preoperatively, 43 women were culture-positive for Gardnerella vaginalis from the cervical os, and 43 women were culture-negative. Postoperatively, 18 patients developed inflammation; among those 14 patients from the culture-positive group were infected, whereas only 4 patients from the culture-negative group developed inflammation. The difference between occurrence of G. vaginalis and the absence of the bacteria in patients with postoperative infection is highly significant. No such increased risk of postoperative infection was correlated to the isolation of any other microorganism looked for viz. aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, yeasts, viruses or chlamydiae. G. vaginalis may play a causative role in the development of posthysterectomy infection.

[Demonstration of urogenital Chlamydia infection by means of the Chlamydiazyme test]

Abbott's recently introduced Chlamydiazyme test which is based on the Elisa principal and cell culture technique was employed with the object of demonstrating urogenital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in 150 persons. Neither of the methods were optimal. The Chlamydiazyme test had a lower sensitivity and specificity than the cell culture method.

Isolation of Gardnerella vaginalis in pure culture from the uterine cavity of patients with irregular bleedings

Hysterectomy was performed in three patients because of persistent irregular vaginal bleeding. Before the operation samples were taken from the cervical os for cultivation of Gardnerella vaginalis, yeasts, viruses, Chlamydia trachomatis, and aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Immediately after the operation, the uterus was opened under sterile conditions and samples obtained from the isthmus and fundus of the uterine cavity were examined microbiologically. In all three patients G. vaginalis was grown in pure culture from the fundus. Serum antibody titres against G. vaginalis were significantly raised in all three patients, and histology revealed mononuclear cells in the endometrium. The isolation of G. vaginalis from the endometrium of patients with clinical and histological signs of inflammation and with antibodies to G. vaginalis in serum indicates that the organism may play a causative role in endometritis.

The effect of oxytocin injection into the umbilical vein for the management of the retained placenta

In a single-blind study 51 patients with retention of the placenta were randomized into one of three groups: Group 1 was given 10 IU of oxytocin in 10 ml of sodium chloride into the umbilical vein; group 2 was given 10 ml of sodium chloride; group 3 was treated with manual removal of the placenta. No significant differences were recorded in groups 1 and 2, and no advantages were found in comparison with the procedure normally used.