Microbial etiology of urban emergency department acute salpingitis: treatment with ofloxacin

Abstract

Objectives: We attempted to define the microbiologic characteristics of acute salpingitis in women presenting to an urban emergency department with pelvic inflammatory disease and to determine the effectiveness of ofloxacin in treating this disease.

Study design: Women with pelvic inflammatory disease underwent laparoscopy to confirm the diagnosis and to culture the fallopian tubes and cul-de-sac. All patients (n = 36) were treated with parenteral ofloxacin and discharged on a regimen of oral ofloxacin to complete a 10- to 14-day course.

Results: Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated from at least one site in 25 patients (69.4%) including the fallopian tube or cul-de-sac in 12 of them. Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from the endocervix and/or endometrium in 6 patients (16.7%); concomitant Neisseria gonorrhoeae was present in 4 patients (66.6%). A polymicrobial infection was identified in only one patient. All patients responded to antibiotic therapy with ofloxacin.

Conclusions: Acute salpingitis in our urban emergency department population is related primarily to upper genital tract infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Ofloxacin is effective therapy for this disease.