Clinical utility of CA125 levels in predicting laparoscopically confirmed salpingitis in patients with clinically diagnosed pelvic inflammatory disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of serum CA125 determinations in diagnosing acute salpingitis. METHODS: CA125 levels were determined for 34 women with the clinical diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Acute salpingitis was confirmed laparoscopically in 28 women (82.3%). RESULTS: Twenty patients (71.4%) with laparoscopically confirmed acute salpingitis had CA125 levels greater than 7.5 units, compared with no patients (0/6) with laparoscopically normal tubes (P = 0.002). The degree of elevation of CA125 levels correlated with the severity of tubal inflammation noted at laparoscopy. All patients with levels above 16 units had laparoscopically severe salpingitis. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that while CA125 levels above 7.5 units may modestly improve the ability of the clinical diagnosis of PID to accurately reflect visually confirmed acute salpingitis, limitations of the test make its clinical utility questionable.     

Serum CRP in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease

Summary The usefulness of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) measurement was studied in a population of 152 patients admitted to a gynaecological emergency unit. Fifty-one of 55 patients with PID had raised (over 10 mg/l) (13–270 mg/l) CRP levels with a mean of 76.1 mg/l. CRP was elevated (12–40 mg/l) in 2 of 18 patients with threatened abortion with successful outcome, in 8 of 28 patients with incomplete abortion, and in 2 of 16 patients with ectopic pregnancy. Furthermore, 6 of 35 patients with noninfectious disorders (ovarian cyst, uterine fibroid, unexplained pelvic pains) had slightly elevated (12–59 mg/l) CRP levels. Thus, in this series a CRP>10 mg/l had good sensitivity (93%) and specificity (83%) in the diagnosis of PID. Furthermore, CRP levels became normal much sooner than did erythrocyte sedimentation rate following effective antibiotic therapy, suggesting that it is useful in monitoring therapeutic response.     

Microbiological and histopathological findings in acute pelvic inflammatory disease

Upper genital tract infection was investigated in 45 women admitted to hospital for suspected acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Salpingitis was diagnosed by laparoscopy in 30 (67%) women. Histopathological evidence of endometritis was found significantly more often in the 30 women with salpingitis (87%) than in the other 15 women without salpingitis (33%). C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae, or both, were isolated from the upper genital tract in 14 of the 31 women who had both salpingitis and endometritis or endometritis only but in none of the four women who had salpingitis alone and in none of the 10 women who had no evidence of PID. Bacterial vaginosis was associated with histopathological evidence of upper tract infection. Non-chlamydial non-gonococcal organisms were frequently isolated from the upper genital tract. No organisms were isolated from the upper genital tract from 9 of 35 women with laparoscopic or histopathological evidence of PID compared with 7 of 10 women without evidence of PID. C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae in the endometrium was associated with lymphoid follicles comprising transformed lymphocytes, and correlated with the density of plasma cells on biopsy. The microbiological results support the recommendations of broad spectrum antimicrobial therapy for PID.     

Ovarian androgens but not estrogens correlate with the degree of systemic inflammation observed during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

AIM: To investigate the behavior and association of serum androgen and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization (IVF). DESIGN: Prospective, observational study.Setting. An IVF unit of an academic medical center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood was drawn three times during the COH cycle from 15 patients undergoing the long gonadotropin-releasing hormone-analog protocol: the day on which adequate suppression was obtained (Day-S); the day of or prior to administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (Day-hCG); and the day of ovum pick-up (Day-OPU). Levels of sex steroids and serum CRP were compared among the three time points. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in serum ovarian androgen levels during gonadotropin treatment. After hCG administration, there was a significant increase in the levels of both serum CRP and ovarian androgens (testosterone, androstenedione), with no significant change in adrenal androgen (dehydroepiandrosterone). Significant correlations were observed between CRP and ovarian androgen levels but not with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate or estradiol levels. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing COH for IVF, ovarian androgen levels increase in correlation with the degree of inflammation, as reflected by CRP levels. Further studies are necessary to elucidate whether androgens play a role in or are predictive of the systemic inflammatory response in COH.     

Fecundity and morbidity following acute pelvic inflammatory disease treated with doxycycline and metronidazole

We studied fecundity and late sequelae of 39 women who had laparoscopic and microbiological sampling-proven acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) treated with the same antimicrobial regimen. The grade and etiology of index PID were classified using laparoscopy, endometrial biopsy and microbiological cultures from the cervix, endometrium and tubes: 20 had mild and 19 severe PID. The mean (SD) follow-up period after the index PID was 125 (44) [range 8–204] months. The primary end-point was pregnancy. All other or recurrent infections or other diseases related to the infection, including infertility, were evaluated. Twenty (51%) women had laparotomy or second laparoscopy during follow-up and findings were evaluated. Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated in 38% of all cases. Eleven (28%) of 39 women avoided conception or it was no longer possible. Twenty-eight women had tried to conceive after the index PID and 25 (89%) of them had at least one pregnancy. Twenty-five women had 56 pregnancies, 33 (59%) of which ended in delivery, 9 (16%) miscarried, 13 (23%) were induced abortion and only one (1.8%) tubal pregnancy occurred. Etiologic factors or severity of PID made no difference to the conception rate. Patients with mild or moderate salpingitis had a high conception rate. Endometriosis was found in 6 (30%) out of 20 women with second laparoscopy or laparotomy. Hysterectomy had been performed in 4 cases. Precise diagnosis of acute PID is the cornerstone for the treatment of the condition. Combination regimens, including drugs against the most common factors underlying acute PID against both aerobic and anaerobic microbes, prevent late sequelae in cases with mild or moderate salpingitis but not in cases with tubal or pelvic abscess.     

Effects of oestrogen replacement therapy on serum C-reactive protein levels in hysterectomised women

BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesised that oral oestrogen replacement therapy may increase levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation associated with increased risk of future cardiovascular events. However, it is possible that intranasal oestrogen replacement therapy have different effects on serum CRP levels. AIM: To investigate the effect of postmenopausal intranasal oestrogen replacement therapy on serum levels of CRP. A prospective comparative study was carried out. Methods: Twenty-nine healthy hysterectomised, postmenopausal women received 300 micro g/day of intranasal 17beta-oestradiol (E2). The serum levels of CRP after 3 and 6 months after starting treatment were compared with baseline values. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in the values of CRP after 3 and 6 months of treatment (P = 0.305, P = 0.149, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The data from the present study suggest that intranasal administration of E2 does not affect CRP levels, possibly by avoiding a hepatic first-pass effect. The possible cardiovascular protective role of intranasal oestrogen might be related to its effect of not increasing CRP levels.     

Transmissible venereal neoplasia: A case report

The use of an intrauterine device (IUD) in 690 patients hospitalized for acute salpingitis (pelvic inflammatory disease) was compared with IUD use in a sexually active age-matched control group. Two hundred and twenty (31.9%) of the patients and 114 (16.5%) of the controls were wearing IUDs. Thus, the relative risk of developing acute salpingitis was 2 among IUD users. No significant difference was found in IUD use in the two groups between nulligravid women and women who had been pregnant. It was shown furthermore that the use of oral contraceptives decreases the risk of salpingitis by two thirds. A lower frequency of gonorrhea among PID patients who were IUD users was revealed also.     

Short-term effects of hormone therapy on serum C-reactive protein levels in postmenopausal women

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tibolone and conjugated equine estrogens (CEEs) plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) (CEE + MPA) on levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, in postmenopausal women. Study design: In this prospective randomized study, we randomly assigned 58 healthy postmenopausal women to CEE (0.625 mg/day) plus MPA (2.5 mg/day) (CEE + MPA) or tibolone (2.5 mg/day). The serum levels of CRP at 3 months after starting treatment were compared with baseline values for both therapies. Results: After 3 months of treatment the median CRP levels increased by 29% in the CEE + MPA group and by 5% in the tibolone group. But, these changes did not have statistical significance (P=0.15, P=0.06, respectively). Conclusions: Our findings show that neither tibolone nor CEE + MPA caused significant changes in serum CRP levels in postmenopausal women. The potential impact of hormone therapy on serum CRP levels should be investigated in ongoing clinical trials.     

Decrease of serum oestriol during intravenous hexoprenaline or salbutamol treatment

Summary. Patients with premature labour were treated with intravenous hexoprenaline (18 patients) or salbutamol (10 patients) infusion between 26 and 36 weeks gestation. After at least 12 h infusion, oral therapy was started. Serum total oestriol was determined by radioimmunoassay every 6 h during intravenous treatment, and then every day after stopping the infusion, for 4 days. The mean serum total oestriol concentration decreased significantly during the intravenous β-mimetic infusion ( P <0·005). One day after stopping intravenous treatment, serum oestriol returned to pretreatment levels. The results show that fetal monitoring by maternal oestriol determinations is not reliable during intravenous β-adrenoceptor agonist therapy.     

An update on the use of C-reactive protein in early-onset neonatal sepsis: current insights and new tasks

C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the most studied and most used laboratory tests for neonatal sepsis. As part of the acute-phase reaction to infection, it plays a central role in the humoral response to bacterial invasion. The delayed synthesis during the inflammatory response accounts for its low sensitivity during the early phases of the disease. Diagnostic accuracy clearly improves by the performance of serial determinations and by the combination with earlier markers such as interleukins or procalcitonin. CRP is as well particularly useful for monitoring the response to treatment and guiding antibiotic therapy, though nothing replaces the clinical impression and the gold standard (i.e. culture results). In spite of the large amount of research done on CRP in neonates, some topics are still not fully understood, such as the influence of noninfectious factors on CRP levels in healthy as well as in symptomatic neonates and the role of gestational age and birthweight on CRP kinetics. In this review, we aim to give an update on the current evidence on the use of CRP in neonates.     

Hyperprolactinemic response after bromocriptine withdrawal in women with prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors

In patients with prolactin (PRL)-secreting tumors, plasma PRL concentrations after discontinuation of bromocriptine therapy have been used clinically as an index of tumor activity. To investigate the pattern of PRL response under these conditions, seven women on chronic bromocriptine therapy for PRL-producing pituitary tumors were followed with serial PRL determinations for 2 months after bromocriptine withdrawal. In these patients, peak PRL concentrations were achieved 28.1 days (mean; range, 14 to 49 days) after bromocriptine discontinuation. However, PRL concentrations did not usually plateau until at least 40 days after cessation of therapy, and the pattern of PRL response was highly variable. Because of the inconsistent pattern of serum PRL response during the first 40 days after discontinuation of bromocriptine, decisions regarding tumor activity based on PRL concentrations should not be made until at least 6 weeks after withdrawal of the drug.     

Evaluation of ofloxacin in the treatment of laparoscopically documented acute pelvic inflammatory disease (salpingitis).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous and oral ofloxacin monotherapy in the treatment of laparoscopically documented acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). METHODS: This study was conducted as an open-label, phase-III, uncontrolled, multicenter study. Patients identified with laparoscopic findings of salpingitis were treated with 400 mg of intravenous ofloxacin every 12 hours followed by 400 mg of oral ofloxacin every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days. Patients were evaluated five times for clinical and microbial efficacy. Since laparoscopy was performed only at admission, pathogens identified laparoscopically were presumed eradicated if they were present on the laparoscopic culture and the patient was clinically cured or improved at final evaluation. RESULTS: Of the 70 patients evaluable for safety (intent-to-treat population), the mean age was 25.6 years. Sixty-one of 70 patients (87%) were cured, one improved, one did not improve, and seven were unevaluable because they discontinued study participation. Fifty-one were evaluable for clinical efficacy: 50 (98%) were cured and one did not improve. Sixteen were evaluable for expanded microbiological efficacy: three had documented Neisseria gonorrhoeae; 12, Chlamydia trachomatis; and one, a mixed infection of both organisms. All cervical, laparoscopic, and endometrial cultured pathogens, including N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis, were eradicated or presumed eradicated at the posttherapy visit. No serious or unexpected adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Ofloxacin monotherapy was effective and well tolerated in the treatment of laparoscopically proven PID in a geographically diverse population. Future studies are necessary to evaluate long-term outcomes and sequelae of PID treatment with single agent therapy.     

Diagnosis and treatment of acute salpingitis.

Acute salpingitis is one of the most common acute gynecologic diseases and occurs in approximately 750,000 women each year in the United States. Use of laparoscopy to confirm the diagnosis of acute salpingitis has shown that the signs and symptoms classically ascribed to this disease are not specific to it. Fever, leukocytosis, elevated ESR and adnexal masses or swelling are not necessary to make a diagnosis of acute salpingitis. Lower abdominal pain and adnexal tenderness are the most consistent findings. Microbiologic data obtained by laparoscopy and culdocentesis have raised questions about the role of N. gonorrhoeae in salpingitis and have demonstrated that, as in pelvic infections generally, acute salpingitis is associated with mixed aerobic-anaerobic bacterial flora. Good results in the treatment of acute salpingitis depend upon: (1) early diagnosis, (2) hospitalization and bed rest, (3) the use of antibiotic therapy that takes into account the polymicrobial etiology of acute salpingitis, (4) prevention of recurrent episodes of salpingitis through efforts at patient education and identification and treatment of sexual partners. Most important, we must remember that what is at stake is often the future reproductive potential of a young woman. It must be weighed against both patient and physician convenience and cost. Further investigative efforts are essential to determine the role of IUDs in pelvic infections, discover the true microbiologic etiology of salpingitis and establish appropriate antimicrobial treatment as determined by prospective, microbiologically controlled investigations.     

Computer-assisted analysis of the therapy of acute salpingitis

Isolation rates of microorganisms recovered by culdocentesis and/or laparoscopy in nine studies of salpingitis were multiplied by the proportions of each species which would be inhibited in vitro at peak and ½ peak serum levels of 13 antimicrobial drugs to yield a prediction of efficacy for the drugs. Efficacies of several hundred combinations of two and three of these drugs were estimated also. Some pairs of oral drugs were predicted to be as efficacious as some parenteral regimens of two or three drugs now in use. The predictions with this model parallel the results of some recently reported studies of therapy for salpingitis, and the model may prove to be a useful tool for future trials and therapy.     

Effects of hormone replacement therapy on plasma homocysteine and C-reactive protein levels.

In order to investigate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on plasma homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels 46 healthy postmenopausal women were prospectively enrolled. HRT, which was either 0.625 mg/day conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) plus 2.5 mg/day medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or 0.625 mg/day CEE alone were administered. After 6 months, estrogen alone significantly increased serum CRP concentrations (p = 0.039), however, estrogen plus progesterone therapy did not significantly alter serum CRP levels. Both regimens significantly decreased plasma homocysteine levels (CEE group p = 0.034, CEE+MPA group p = 0.007). It was concluded that the reduction in plasma homocysteine levels with both regimens might contribute to the cardiovascular benefit of HRT and the CRP raising effect of estrogen might be partially prevented by the addition of progesterone.     

The relationship between the change in serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels and IVF success

The aim of this study was to assess whether the extent of the change in high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels is related with in vitro fertilization (IVF) success. A total of 69 IVF cycles using long luteal GnRH agonist protocol at the IVF unit, were prospectively studied. The serum levels of hs-CRP were measured on the day of initiation of gonadotrophin stimulation and 7 days after embryo transfer. CRP ratio was defined as the levels of CRP on day 7 of transfer/day of initiation of ovarian stimulation. Clinical pregnancy rates were examined. The mean concentrations of hs-CRP were not significantly different on the first day of ovarian stimulation and on day 7 after embryo transfer among pregnant and non-pregnant women. There was a significant rise in hs-CRP levels at 7th day after embryo transfer as compared with the first day of gonadotrophin treatment in both groups (10.58 ± 11.35 versus 3.61 ± 2.86 mg/L for pregnant women and 9.14 ± 11.36 versus 3.24 ± 2.68 mg/L for non-pregnant women, p = 0.001). In addition, the mean CRP ratio was not different between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups. Our data show that serum hs-CRP levels increase during IVF treatment, but the extent of the rise in CRP levels is not a predictive marker of IVF success.     

Can the Need for Invasive Intervention in Tubo-ovarian Abscess Be Predicted? The Implication of C-reactive Protein Measurements

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical parameters of hospitalized patients with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) for the presence of tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) and predict the need for intervention.DesignA prospective cohort study.SettingA tertiary care university medical center.PatientsNinety-four patients were diagnosed with complicated PID and hospitalized between 2015 and 2017.InterventionsPatients with PID were treated with parenteral antibiotics according to Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Demographic, clinical, sonographic, and laboratory data for patients with PID were analyzed. Inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cells (WBCs), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and clinical parameters were collected at admission and during hospitalization.Measurements and Main ResultsForty-eight of 94 patients (51.1%) hospitalized with complicated PID were diagnosed with TOA sonographically. CRP levels were the strongest predictor of TOA, followed by WBC count, ESR, and fever on admission. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for CRP, WBC, ESR, and fever were .92, .75, .73 and .62, respectively. CRP specificity was 93.4% and sensitivity was 85.4% for predicting TOA, with cutoff value of 49.3 mg/L. Twelve patients (25%) failed conservative management and underwent surgical intervention including laparoscopy (n = 7), computed tomography (CT)-guided drainage (n = 4), and laparotomy (n = 1). In this group, CRP levels significantly increased from admission to day 1 and day 2 during hospitalization (128.26, 173.75, and 214.66 mg/L, respectively; p < .05 for both). In the conservative management group, CRP levels showed a plateau from admission to day 1 and then a decrease until day 3 (110, 120.49, 97.52, and 78.45 mg/L, respectively).ConclusionCRP is a sensitive, specific inflammatory marker for predicting TOA in patients with complicated PID, and levels >49.3 mg/L suggest the presence of TOA. In the TOA group, CRP level trends correlated well with success or failure of conservative management. Increasing CRP levels during treatment may be used as an indicator of the need for invasive intervention, and daily CRP measurements can help predict the need for invasive intervention.     

人脐带间充质干细胞对输卵管炎大鼠输卵管超微结构和功能的改变

目的:探讨人脐带Wharton’s间充质干细胞(Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells,WJMSCs)在输卵管炎性不孕症治疗中的应用前景。方法:成年雌性Wistar大鼠50只,随机分为输卵管炎症模型组(n=40)和对照组(n=10)。其中,模型组大鼠双侧输卵管注入混合菌后再随机分成5组,急性治疗前组(n=5),于造模后第20日取材;急性治疗组(n=10),于造模第20日,给予腹腔注射WJMSCs(1×106/ml),7 d/次,共3次,疗程结束1周后5只取材;慢性治疗前组(n=5),于造模后30 d取材;慢性治疗组(n=10),于造模第30日开始给予WJMSCs;方法同急性治疗组,疗程结束1周后5只取材;慢性模型组(n=10),造模后不给予任何处理,第51日5只取材,所有余下雌鼠分别与雄鼠同笼。检测比较急、慢性输卵管炎模型大鼠腹腔注射WJMSCs治疗前、后血清INF-γ和TNF-α水平、输卵管超微结构、单位面积输卵管腔上皮皱褶长度(Lu)和分泌颗粒的密度(D),以及各组受孕率及产仔数。结果:急性输卵管炎期,输卵管上皮被破坏,间质水肿,治疗后基本恢复正常。慢性输卵管炎期,上皮扁平化,黏膜下纤维化,治疗后无明显改善。急性输卵管炎治疗前组Lu值无明显变化,而D值显著下降,治疗后恢复正常;慢性输卵管炎治疗前组Lu、D值均明显降低,治疗后无明显好转。急、慢性输卵管炎治疗前组血清TNF-α和INF-γ水平均明显增高,治疗后急性组恢复到正常水平,而慢性治疗组虽有下降,但仍高于正常水平。急性输卵管炎治疗组受孕率、产仔数恢复正常。慢性输卵管炎治疗前、后,其受孕率、产仔数均明显下降。结论:WJMSCs腹腔注射治疗大鼠急性输卵管炎,能降低血清炎症因子,恢复输卵管结构和功能,恢复生育功能,但对慢性输卵管炎的治疗效果不明显,提示在急性期治疗输卵管炎有可能防止继发不孕的发生。     

C-reactive protein and 6-keto prostaglandin F 1-alpha in patients with gynecologic cancer

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant that appears to have a variety of biologic effects, including stimulation of prostaglandin production by peripheral blood monocytes. Both CRP and 6-keto prostaglandin F 1-alpha (6-keto PGF1-alpha) have been noted to be elevated in the sera of patients with malignant disease, therefore the current study was undertaken to determine whether any correlation exists between serum levels of these two substances. Thirty-five samples of sera from 16 patients undergoing treatment for primary gynecologic malignancies were tested. CRP was elevated above normal in 97% of samples and 6-keto PGF1-alpha was elevated in 91% of samples. No correlation between levels of CRP and 6-keto PGF1-alpha was identified. Serial serum samples were available for 6 patients undergoing therapy; in 5 of 6 patients CRP levels reflected the clinical disease course. There was no apparent correlation between 6-keto PGF1-alpha levels and clinical progression or regression of disease.     

The relationship between the change in serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels and IVF success

The aim of this study was to assess whether the extent of the change in high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels is related with in vitro fertilization (IVF) success. A total of 69 IVF cycles using long luteal GnRH agonist protocol at the IVF unit, were prospectively studied. The serum levels of hs-CRP were measured on the day of initiation of gonadotrophin stimulation and 7 days after embryo transfer. CRP ratio was defined as the levels of CRP on day 7 of transfer/day of initiation of ovarian stimulation. Clinical pregnancy rates were examined. The mean concentrations of hs-CRP were not significantly different on the first day of ovarian stimulation and on day 7 after embryo transfer among pregnant and non-pregnant women. There was a significant rise in hs-CRP levels at 7th day after embryo transfer as compared with the first day of gonadotrophin treatment in both groups (10.58?±?11.35 versus 3.61?±?2.86?mg/L for pregnant women and 9.14?±?11.36 versus 3.24?±?2.68?mg/L for non-pregnant women, p?=?0.001). In addition, the mean CRP ratio was not different between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups. Our data show that serum hs-CRP levels increase during IVF treatment, but the extent of the rise in CRP levels is not a predictive marker of IVF success.