[Infections in gynecology].

After the author had reviewed present ideas about infections he outlined the specific character and the role of the normal flora to be found in the cervix and in the vagina, as well as the common characteristics of sexually transmitted diseases. The pathogenic role of bacteria that were previously considered to be "innocent" (type B streptococci, staphylococcus aureus, Gardnerella vaginalis) and Chlamydiae and mycoplasmas make it easier to understand the pathogenesis of basal gynaecological infections and of the urethral syndrome. The author then studies the aetiology of acute salpingitis that can be classified according to a number of responsible organisms: monomicrobial salpingitis (due to gonococci, Chlamydia, and microplasmas) or polymicrobacterial, the nature (endogenous or exogenous) of the infecting agents and the role of iatrogenic factors (such as intra-uterine contraceptive devices, terminations of pregnancies and so on). The diagnosis and the risks of gynaecological infections occurring are pointed out as well as the different problems associated with preventing these infections.