Abstract
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) encompasses infections of the uterus (endometritis or myometritis), fallopian tubes (salpingitis), ovaries (oophoritis), broad ligaments (parametritis), and pelvic peritoneum (peritonitis). PID accounts for up to 2.5 million outpatient visits and 350,000 emergency department visits per year for women. It is the leading cause for hospital admissions among women of reproductive age, though its incidence is decreasing due to more aggressive screening for chlamydial infections. PID is a polymicrobial disorder that results from disruption of the normal bacterial flora of the vagina and cervix, including Streptococcus agalactiae, gram-negative cocci, and anaerobes. The two initiating pathogens are Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis.