Incidence of actinomycosis associated with intrauterine devices.

The incidence of intrauterine device (IUD)-associated cervicovaginal actinomycosis was evaluated. Papanicolaou-stained cervicovaginal smears from 1,520 women with IUDs were reviewed for the presence of Actinomyces-like organisms. The overall colonization rate was 11.4%. The colonization rates for the Progestasert, plastic IUDs and copper IUDs were 14.3%, 10.8% and 6.69%, respectively. The colonization rate appeared to increase with the duration of IUD use. The relatively high cervicovaginal Actinomyces colonization rate suggests that all patients with IUDs should undergo annual cytologic smears, with specific attention given to the presence of Actinomyces-like organisms.