Endometritis

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Endometritis
Other namesPostpartum endometritis, endomyometritis
Micrograph showing a chronic endometritis with the characteristic plasma cells. Scattered neutrophils are also present. H&E stain.
SpecialtyGynaecology, obstetrics
SymptomsFever, lower abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, discharge[1]
TypesAcute, chronic[2]
CausesInfectious[2]
Risk factorsAbortion, menstruation, childbirth, placement of an IUD, douching[3][2]
TreatmentAntibiotics[1]
PrognosisGood with treatment[4]
Frequency2% (following vaginal delivery),
10% (following scheduled C-section)[5]

Endometritis is inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium).[6] Symptoms may include fever, lower abdominal pain, and abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge.[1][4] It is the most common cause of infection after childbirth.[7][1] It is also part of spectrum of diseases that make up pelvic inflammatory disease.[8]

Endometritis is divided into acute and chronic forms.[2] The acute form is usually from an infection that passes through the cervix as a result of an abortion, during menstruation, following childbirth, or as a result of douching or placement of an IUD.[2][3] Risk factors for endometritis following delivery include Caesarean section and prolonged rupture of membranes.[1] Chronic endometritis is more common after menopause.[2] The diagnosis may be confirmed by endometrial biopsy.[3] Ultrasound may be useful to verify that there is no retained tissue within the uterus.[4]

Treatment is usually with antibiotics.[1] Recommendations for treatment of endometritis following delivery includes clindamycin with gentamicin.[9] Testing for and treating gonorrhea and chlamydia in those at risk is also recommended.[10] Chronic disease may be treated with doxycycline.[10] Outcomes with treatment are generally good.[4]

Rates of endometritis are about 2% following vaginal delivery, 10% following scheduled C-section, and 30% with rupture of membranes before C-section if preventive antibiotics are not used.[5] The term "endomyometritis" may be used when inflammation of the endometrium and the myometrium is present.[11] The condition is also relatively common in other animals such as cows.[12]

Symptoms[edit]

Symptoms may include fever, lower abdominal pain, and abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge.[1][4]

Types[edit]

Acute endometritis[edit]

Acute endometritis is characterized by infection. The organisms most often isolated are believed to be because of compromised abortions, delivery, medical instrumentation, and retention of placental fragments.[13] There is not enough evidence for the use of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent endometritis after manual removal of placental in vaginal birth.[14] Histologically, neutrophilic infiltration of the endometrial tissue is present during acute endometritis. The clinical presentation is typically high fever and purulent vaginal discharge. Menstruation after acute endometritis is excessive and in uncomplicated cases can resolve after 2 weeks of clindamycin and gentamicin IV antibiotic treatment.

In certain populations, it has been associated with Mycoplasma genitalium and pelvic inflammatory disease.[15][16]

Chronic endometritis[edit]

Chronic endometritis is characterized by the presence of plasma cells in the stroma. Lymphocytes, eosinophils, and even lymphoid follicles may be seen, but in the absence of plasma cells, are not enough to warrant a histologic diagnosis. It may be seen in up to 10% of all endometrial biopsies performed for irregular bleeding. The most common organisms are Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhea), Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus), Mycoplasma hominis, tuberculosis, and various viruses. Most of these agents are capable of causing chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Patients with chronic endometritis may have an underlying cancer of the cervix or endometrium (although infectious cause is more common). Antibiotic therapy is curative in most cases (depending on underlying cause), with fairly rapid alleviation of symptoms after only 2 to 3 days. Women with chronic endometritis are also at a higher risk of pregnancy loss and treatment for this improves future pregnancy outcomes.[17][18]

Chronic granulomatous endometritis is usually caused by tuberculous. The granulomas are small, sparse, and without caseation. The granulomas take up to 2 weeks to develop and since the endometrium is shed every 4 weeks, the granulomas are poorly formed.

In human medicine, pyometra (also a veterinary condition of significance) is regarded as a form of chronic endometritis seen in elderly women causing stenosis of the cervical os and accumulation of discharges and infection. Symptom in chronic endometritis is blood stained discharge but in pyometra the patient complaints of lower abdominal pain.

Pyometra[edit]

Pyometra describes an accumulation of pus in the uterine cavity.[19] In order for pyometra to develop, there must be both an infection and blockage of cervix. Signs and symptoms include lower abdominal pain (suprapubic), rigors, fever, and the discharge of pus on introduction of a sound into the uterus. Pyometra is treated with antibiotics, according to culture and sensitivity.[20]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Cover of Hacker & Moore's Essentials of Obstetrics and Gynecology". Hacker & Moore's essentials of obstetrics and gynecology (6 ed.). Elsevier Canada. 2015. pp. 276–290. ISBN 9781455775583.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Dallenbach-Hellweg, Gisela; Schmidt, Dietmar; Dallenbach, Friederike (2010). Atlas of Endometrial Histopathology. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 135. ISBN 9783642015410.
  3. ^ a b c Lobo, Rogerio A.; Gershenson, David M.; Lentz, Gretchen M.; Valea, Fidel A. (2016). Comprehensive Gynecology E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 548. ISBN 9780323430036.
  4. ^ a b c d e Ferri, Fred F. (2014). Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2015 E-Book: 5 Books in 1. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 423. ISBN 9780323084307.
  5. ^ a b Gabbe, Steven G. (2012). Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 1146. ISBN 978-1437719352.
  6. ^ Crum, Christopher P.; Lee, Kenneth R.; Nucci, Marisa R. (2011). Diagnostic Gynecologic and Obstetric Pathology E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 430. ISBN 978-1455708956.
  7. ^ Arora, Mala; Walavalkar, Rajalaxmi (2013). World Clinics: Obstetrics & Gynecology: Postpartum Hemorrhage. JP Medical Ltd. p. 237. ISBN 9789350904244.
  8. ^ "Sexually Transmitted Diseases & Pelvic Infections". Current diagnosis & treatment : obstetrics & gynecology (11 ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. 2012. p. Chapter 43. ISBN 978-0071638562.
  9. ^ Mackeen, AD; Packard, RE; Ota, E; Speer, L (2 February 2015). "Antibiotic regimens for postpartum endometritis". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015 (2): CD001067. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001067.pub3. PMC 7050613. PMID 25922861.
  10. ^ a b "8". Williams Gynecology (3 ed.). McGraw Hill Professional. 2016. ISBN 9780071849081.
  11. ^ Hubert Guedj; Baggish, Michael S.; Valle, Rafael Heliodoro (2007). Hysteroscopy: visual perspectives of uterine anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Hagerstwon, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 488. ISBN 978-0-7817-5532-0.
  12. ^ Noakes, David E. (2009). Arthur's Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 411. ISBN 9780702039904.
  13. ^ "Endometritis - Pregnancy Articles". pregmed.org. 21 November 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  14. ^ Chongsomchai, C; Lumbiganon, P; Laopaiboon, M (Oct 20, 2014). "Prophylactic antibiotics for manual removal of retained placenta in vaginal birth". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 10 (10): CD004904. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004904.pub3. PMC 7390442. PMID 25327508.
  15. ^ Cohen CR, Manhart LE, Bukusi EA, et al. (March 2002). "Association between Mycoplasma genitalium and acute endometritis". Lancet. 359 (9308): 765–6. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(02)07848-0. PMID 11888591. S2CID 36191700.
  16. ^ Ljubin-Sternak, Suncanica; Mestrovic, Tomislav (2014). "Review: Chlamydia trachonmatis and Genital Mycoplasmias: Pathogens with an Impact on Human Reproductive Health". Journal of Pathogens. 2014 (183167): 3. doi:10.1155/2014/183167. PMC 4295611. PMID 25614838.
  17. ^ Buzzaccarini G, Vitagliano A, Andrisani A, Santarsiero CM, Cicinelli R, Nardelli C, Ambrosini G, Cicinelli E (December 2020). "Chronic endometritis and altered embryo implantation: a unified pathophysiological theory from a literature systematic review". Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 37 (12): 2897–2911. doi:10.1007/s10815-020-01955-8. PMC 7714873. PMID 33025403.
  18. ^ Rimmer MP, Fishwick K, Henderson I, Chinn D, Al Wattar BH, Quenby S (December 2020). "Quantifying CD138+ cells in the endometrium to assess chronic endometritis in women at risk of recurrent pregnancy loss: A prospective cohort study and rapid review" (PDF). The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. 47 (2): 689–697. doi:10.1111/jog.14585. PMID 33274569. S2CID 227283325.
  19. ^ "Pyometra". American College of Veterinary Surgeons. 2004. Archived from the original on 2006-02-21. Retrieved 2006-12-14.
  20. ^ Höglund, Odd Viking; Lövebrant, Johanna; Olsson, Ulf; Höglund, Katja (17 November 2016). "Blood pressure and heart rate during ovariohysterectomy in pyometra and control dogs: a preliminary investigation". Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. 58 (1): 80. doi:10.1186/s13028-016-0263-y. PMC 5112883. PMID 27855712.

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