Pattern of Microbial Flora in Septic Incomplete Abortion in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Keywords:
Septic Abortions, Infection Pattern, NigeriaAbstract
Background: Septic abortion occurs when there is colonization of the upper genital tract by micro organisms following termination of pregnancy usually before the age of viability. This can result from ascending infections from the lower genital tract or direct inoculation of micro organisms from contaminated and poorly sterilized instruments at the evacuation of the uterus in incomplete abortion or during unsafe abortion. Septic abortion is accompanied by significant morbidity, cost and maternal death in Nigeria. Knowledge of the microbial flora causing septic abortion is important in the prevention and treatment of this condition. The aim of this study is to identify the common micro organisms present in the endocervix and posterior vaginal fornix in patients with septic abortions.
Methods: This is a prospective study of the micro organisms present in the endocervix and posterior vaginal fornix in 150 women with septic abortion as identified in bacterial cultures between 1st January 2006 and 31st December 2008 at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology units of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital Port Harcourt.
Results: There were polymicrobial colonization of the upper genital tract and vagina in most cases. The commonest organisms cultured are Escherichia Coli (49.2%) and Staphylococcus Aureus(37.1%). The least commonly identified organisms were Bacteriodes(3.8%) and Clostridium species(2.3%).
Conclusion: Escherichia Coli is the commonest organism cultured in septic abortion in this environment. The infections are usually polymicrobial. They are mainly enteric organisms found in genitourinary infections.
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