Which pathogens are common etiologies of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?

Which pathogens are common etiologies of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?

• A. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes
• B. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis
• C. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• D. Candida albicans and Treponema pallidum

Answer: (B)

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the upper female genital tract that typically starts in the cervix and ascends to the uterus and fallopian tubes. The most common culprits are sexually transmitted pathogens that ascend from the cervix, especially Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. These two organisms are highly associated with PID because they readily infect the lower genital tract and have a propensity to ascend, triggering inflammation of the endometrium and adnexa. Many PID cases involve either one or both of these pathogens, and infections are often subclinical in the early stages, which is why screening and prompt treatment are important. The other organisms listed don’t fit as the usual primary causes of PID. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes are more commonly linked to skin and soft-tissue infections or postpartum/instrument-related infections. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are more typical of urinary tract or nosocomial infections. Candida albicans causes vaginal candidiasis, and Treponema pallidum causes syphilis, neither of which is a common primary etiology for PID.

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the upper female genital tract that typically starts in the cervix and ascends to the uterus and fallopian tubes. The most common culprits are sexually transmitted pathogens that ascend from the cervix, especially Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. These two organisms are highly associated with PID because they readily infect the lower genital tract and have a propensity to ascend, triggering inflammation of the endometrium and adnexa. Many PID cases involve either one or both of these pathogens, and infections are often subclinical in the early stages, which is why screening and prompt treatment are important.

The other organisms listed don’t fit as the usual primary causes of PID. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes are more commonly linked to skin and soft-tissue infections or postpartum/instrument-related infections. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are more typical of urinary tract or nosocomial infections. Candida albicans causes vaginal candidiasis, and Treponema pallidum causes syphilis, neither of which is a common primary etiology for PID.