Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection and inflammation of the upper genital tract, usually caused by the ascending spread of microorganisms. The condition is increasing in incidence, particularly among sexually active women under 25, and can lead to serious complications such as infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Treatment involves antibiotics, and in some cases, hospitalization and surgical intervention may be required.

1. PELVIC INFLAMMATORY
DISEASE (PID)
Done by Mohammed Musa

2. 2
CLASSIFICATION OF GENITAL TRACT
INFECTIONS
A. According to etiology:
- Specific (caused by N.gonorrhoeae and TB)
- Nonspecific (caused by Staphyloccocus, Streptococus, E.Coli,
Proteus, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, viruses,
etc.)
B. According to clinical picture:
- Acute
- Chronic

3. 3
CLASSIFICATION OF GENITAL TRACT
INFECTIONS
C. According to localization:
- Lower genital tract infections (vulvo-vaginitis, cervicitis)
- Upper genital tract infections (salpingitis, endometritis,
pelvioperitonitis)
D. According to history of recent delivery:
- Puerperial
- Nonpuerperial

4. Definition
PID is a spectrum of infection and inflammation of the upper genital
tract organs typically involving the uterus (endometrium), fallopian
tubes, ovaries, pelvic peritoneum and surrounding structures.
● It is attributed to the ascending spread of microorganisms from
the cervicovaginal canal to the contiguous pelvic structures
causing endometritis, salpingitis, pelvic peritonitis or tubo-ovarian
abscess.
The cervicitis is not included in the list.
● The clinical syndrome is not related to pregnancy and surgery.
4

5. 5

6. Epidemiology
● The incidence of pelvic infection is on the rise due to the rise in sexually
transmitted diseases.
● The incidence varies from 1–2 percent per year among sexually active
women.
6

7. Epidemiology
7
85%
15%
Following
procedure
s
Spontaneous
infection in
sexually active
females
● About 85% are
spontaneous infection in
sexually active females
of
reproductive age.
● The remaining 15%
follow procedures
(include endometrial
biopsy, uterine curettage,
insertion of IUD and
hysterosalpingography.

8. ● Two-thirds are restricted to young women of less than 25 years and the
remaining one-third limited among 30 years or older.
Epidemiology
8
66%
33%
30 years or older
less than 25
years

9. Risk factors
● Menstruating teenagers.
● Multiple sexual partners.
● Absence of contraceptive pill use.
● Previous history of acute PID.
● IUD users.
● Area with high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases.
9

10. Protective factors
Contraceptive practice
● Barrier methods, specially condom, diaphragm
with spermicides.
● Oral steroidal contraceptives have got two
preventive aspects.
○ Produce thick mucus plug preventing
ascent of sperm and bacterial penetration.
○ Decrease in duration of menstruation,
creates a shorter interval of bacterial colo-
nization of the upper tract.
● Monogamy or having a partner who had
vasectomy.
Others
● Pregnancy
● Menopause
● Vaccines: hepatitis B,
HPV
10

11. Microbiology
Acute PID is usually a polymicrobial infection caused by organisms ascending
upstairs from downstairs.
➔ The primary organisms are sexually transmitted and limited
approximately to:
◆ N. gonorrhoeae in 30%
◆ Chlamydia trachomatis in 30%
◆ Mycoplasma hominis in 10%.
11

12. Microbiology
➔ The secondary organisms normally found in the vagina are almost always
associated sooner or later.
These are:
12
◆ Aerobic organisms—non-hemolytic streptococcus.
E. coli, group B streptococcus and staphylococcus.
◆ Anaerobic organisms—Bacteroides species –
fragilis and bivius, peptostreptococcus and
peptococcus.

13. Mode of affection
● The classic concept is that the gonococcus ascends up to affect the
tubes through mucosal continuity and contiguity. This ascent is
facilitated by the sexually transmitted vectors such as sperm and
trichomonads.
● Reflux of menstrual blood along with gonococci into the fallopian
tubes is the other possibility.
● Mycoplasma hominis probably spreads across the parametrium to
affect the tube.
● The secondary organisms probably affect the tube through
lymphatics.
● Rarely, organisms from the gut may affect the tube directly. 13

14. Pathology
● The involvement of the tube is almost always bilateral and usually
following menses due to loss of genital defence.
● The pathological process is initiated primarily in the endosalpinx.
● There is gross destruction of the epithelial cells, cilia and microvilli and
may becomes edematous and hyperemic (in severe infection).
● The exfoliated cells along with the exudate pour into the lumen of the
tube and agglutinate the mucosal folds. The abdominal ostium is closed
by the indrawing of the edematous fimbriae and by inflammatory
adhesions. The uterine end is closed by congestion. The closure of both
the ostia results in pent up of the exudate inside the tube.
14

15. Pathology
● Depending upon the virulence, the exudate may be watery
producing hydrosalpinx or purulent producing pyosalpinx.
● The purulent exudate then changes the microenvironment and favors
growth of other organisms resulting in deeper penetration and more
tissue destruction.
● There will be adhesions of the tube with the surrounding structures.
● On occasions, the exudate pours through the abdominal ostium to
produce pelvic peritonitis and pelvic abscess or may affect the ovary
producing ovarian abscess.
15

16. CLINICAL FEATURES
16
Symptoms
● Patients with acute PID present with a wide range of non-specific
clinical symptoms.
● Symptoms usually appear at the time and immediately after the
menstruation.
● Bilateral lower abdominal and pelvic pain which is dull in nature.
The onset of pain is more rapid and acute in gonococcal infection
(3 days) than in chlamydial infection (5–7 days).
● There is fever, lassitude and headache.
● Irregular and excessive vaginal bleeding is usually due to
associated endometritis.
● Abnormal vaginal discharge which becomes purulent and or
copious.

17. CLINICAL FEATURES
Symptoms
● Nausea and vomiting.
● Dyspareunia.
● Pain and discomfort in the right hypochondrium due to concomitant
perihepatitis (Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome) may occur in 5–10% of
cases of acute salpingitis.
● The liver is involved due to transperitoneal or vascular
dissemination of either gonococcal or chlamydial
infection.
17

18. CLINICAL FEATURES
18
Signs
● The temperature is elevated to beyond 38.3°C.
● Abdominal palpation reveals tenderness on both the quadrants of lower
abdomen. The liver may be enlarged and tender.
● Vaginal examination reveals:
(1) Abnormal vaginal discharge which may be of purulent.
(2) Congested external urethral meatus or openings of Bartholin’s ducts
through which pus may be seen escaping out on pressure.
(3) Speculum examination shows congested cervix with purulent
discharge from the canal.
(4) Bimanual examination reveals bilateral tenderness on fornix
palpation, which increases more with movement of the cervix. There
may be thickening or a definite mass felt through the fornices.

19. CLINICAL FEATURES
19

20. 20
Clinical diagnostic criteria of PID (CDC 2015)
Minimum Criteria
1. Adnexal tenderness.
2. Cervical motion tenderness.
3. Uterine tenderness
Definitive Criteria
1. Endometrial biopsy with histopathologic evidence of endometritis;
2. Transvaginal sonography or magnetic resonance imaging techniques showing
thickened, fluid-filled tubes with or without free pelvic fluid or tubo-ovarian
complex, or Doppler studies suggesting pelvic infection (e.g., tubal hyperemia);
3. Laparoscopic findings consistent with PID.
Additional Criteria
1. Oral temperature >101°F (>38.3°C);
2. Abnormal cervical mucopurulent discharge or
cervical friability;
3. Presence of abundant numbers of WBC on
saline microscopy of vaginal fluid;
4. Elevated ESR;
5. Elevated CRP;
6. laboratory documentation of cervical infection
with N. gonorrhoeae or C. trachomatis.

21. 21
CLASSIFICATION

22. Investigations
● A pregnancy test should always be performed to exclude the important
differential diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.
● High vaginal and endocervical swabs (high vaginal for Trichomonas
vaginalis, Candida and bacterial vaginosis, endocervical for gonorrhoea
and endocervical for Chlamydia) should be taken, paying attention to using
the correct technique.
● Midstream specimen of urine should be sent for microscopy and culture.
● Full blood count and C-reactive protein are important if the woman is
systemically unwell, and urea and electrolytes should be analysed if she is
vomiting.
● Serological test for syphilis should be carried out for both the partners in
all cases.
22

23. Investigations
● Ultrasound scan will exclude a large tubo-ovarian collection, but is usually
normal with PID except for possible free peritoneal fluid, which is a non-
specific finding.
● Culdocentesis: Aspiration of peritoneal fluid and its white cell count, if
exceeds 30,000 per mL. is significant in acute PID. Bacterial culture from
the fluid is not informative because of vaginal contamination.
● Investigations are also to be extended to male partner and smear and
culture are made from urethral secretion.
● Laparoscopy is indicated if the diagnosis is unclear or there is no
response to treatment after 48 hours.
23

24. Laparoscopy
24
● Laparoscopy is considered the "gold
standard".
● While it is the most reliable aid to support
the clinical diagnosis but it may not be
feasible to do in all cases.
● It is reserved only in those cases in which
differential diagnosis includes salpingitis,
appendicitis or ectopic pregnancy.
● Laparoscopy helps to aspirate fluid or pus
for microbiological study from the fallopian
tube, ovary or pouch of Douglas.
● Nonresponding pelvic mass needs
laparoscopic clarification.

25. Laparoscopy
25
● Mild: Tubes: edema, erythema, no purulent
exudates and mobile.
● Mod: Purulent exudates from the fimbrial
ends, tubes not freely movable.
● Severe: Pyosalpinx, inflammatory complex,
abscess.
● ‘Violin string’ like adhesions in the pelvis
and around the liver suggests chlamydial
infection.
Laparoscopic findings and severity of PID:

26. Violin-string" adhesions of chronic Fitz-Hugh-Curtis

27. Differential diagnosis
The clinical condition may be confused with:
(1) Appendicitis
(2) Disturbed ectopic pregnancy
(3) Torsion of ovarian pedicle, haemorrhage or
rupture of ovarian cyst
(4) Endometriosis
(5) Diverticulitis
(6) Urinary tract infection
The two conditions—acute appendicitis and disturbed ectopic pregnancy
must be ruled out, because both the conditions require urgent laparotomy
whereas acute salpingitis is to be treated conservatively. 27

28. 28

29. Complications of PID
IMMEDIATE:
(1) Pelvic peritonitis or
even generalized
peritonitis.
(2) Septicemia —
producing arthritis or
myocarditis.
29
LATE:
(1) Dyspareunia.
(2) Infertility rate is 12%, after two episodes
increases to 25% and after three raises to 50%. It
is due to tubal damage or tubo-ovarian mass.
(3) Chronic pelvic inflammation is due to recurrent
or associated pyogenic infection.
(4) Formation of adhesions or hydrosalpinx or
pyosalpinx and tubo-ovarian abscess.
(5) Chronic pelvic pain and ill health (24–75%).
(6) Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (6-10 fold).

30. Treatment
To prevent reinfection.03
To prevent infertility and late sequelae.02
To control the infection energetically.01
THE PRINCIPLES OF THERAPY ARE:

31. 31
Treatment
Outpatient therapy:
● Apart from adequate rest and analgesic, antibiotics are to
be prescribed even before the microbiological report is
available.
● As because the infection is polymicrobial in nature, instead
of single, combination of antibiotics should be prescribed.
● Out-patients antibiotic therapy for acute PID is given in the
next Table.

32. 32
Treatment
● All patients treated in
the outpatients are
evaluated after 48
hours and if no
response, are to be
hospitalised.

33. 33
Treatment
Inpatient
therapy:
● The patients are to
be hospitalized for
antibiotic therapy in
these conditions:

34. Treatment
Inpatient therapy:
● Bed rest is imposed. Oral feeding is restricted.
● Dehydration and acidosis are to be corrected by intravenous fluid.
● Intravenous antibiotic therapy is recommended for at least 48 hours but
may be extended to 4 days, if necessary.
● Improvement of the patient is evidenced by remission of temperature,
improvement of pelvic tenderness, normal white blood cell count and
negative report on bacteriological study.
34

35. 35

36. 36
Treatment
Indications of surgery:
The indications of surgery are comparatively
less. The unequivocal indications are:
● Generalized peritonitis.
● Pelvic abscess.
● Tubo-ovarian abscess which does not
respond (48–72 hours) to antimicrobial
therapy.

37. Prevention
The following formalities are to be rigidly followed to prevent reinfection:
● Educating the patient to avoid reinfection and the potential hazards of it.
● The patient should be warned against multiple sexual partners.
● To use condom.
● The sexual partner or partners are to be traced and properly investigated
to find out the organism(s) and treated effectively. If they have got non-
gonococcal urethritis, they should be treated with tetracycline 500 mg 6
hourly or doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days.
37

38. 38
Pregnancy
● PID is extremely uncommon in
pregnancy, probably due to the mucous
cervical plug and the pregnancy itself
impeding passage of organisms into
the fallopian tubes.
● In pregnancy or breastfeeding,
penicillin or ceftriaxone can be used
instead of ciprofloxacin.
● Erythromycin should be used instead of
doxycycline or azithromycin, although
azithromycin is not known to be
harmful.

39. Follow-up
● Repeat smears and cultures from the
discharge are to be done after 7 days
following the full course of treatment.
● The tests are to be repeated following
each menstrual period until it becomes
negative for three consecutive reports
when the patient is declared cured.
● Until she is cured and her sexual partner
have been treated and cured, the patient
must be prohibited from intercourse.
● The only unequivocal proof of successful
treatment after salpingitis is an intrauterine
pregnancy. 39

40. REFERENCES
1. SALLY COLLINS, SABARATNAM ARULKUMARAN, KEVIN HAYES, SIMON JACKSON,
LAWRENCE IMPEY. Pelvic inflammatory disease. Oxford Handbook of Obstetrics
and Gynaecology, 2013, 3rd edition, P.561-563.
2. HIRALAR KONAR. Pelvic inflammatory disease. Dc dutta’s textbook of gynecology,
2013, 6th edition. P.127-133.
3. BARRY O’REILLY, CECILIA BOTTOMLEY, JANICE RYMER. Pelvic Inflammatory
Disease. Essentials of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2012, 2nd edition, P.130-133.
4. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, June 4,
2015 [Viewed on 27 January 2018]. Available from :
https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/pid.htm
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41. Thank You