Chapter 113 Endometritis
INTRODUCTION
Description: Endometritis is an acute or chronic inflammation, usually of infectious origin, of the lining of the uterus. This is a general term that is used for this condition in either nonpregnant or recently pregnant patients; chorioamnionitis or endomyometritis are the terms commonly used for pregnant patients. Chronic endometritis is often characterized as an intermediate state in ascending infections.
Prevalence: Seventy-five percent of patients with pelvic inflammatory disease, 40% of patients with mucopurulent cervicitis.
ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS
Causes: Aseptic inflammation of the endometrium is commonly found in users of intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs). Infection by organisms ascending from the cervix and lower tract are common (most often Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Streptococcus agalactiae). Less common are infections by Actinomyces israelii or tuberculosis.
