Does removal of CU-IUD in patients with biofilm forming candida really maintain regression of clinical symptoms?

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether symptoms and recurrence would differ with and without Cu-IUD removal in patients with concomitant biofilm forming Candida spp. Methods: The data of 270 consecutive patients wearing TCu380A Cu-IUD were evaluated. Among these patients, 100/270 were found to have Candida spp. isolated from the tail of Cu-IUD or vaginal samples. These patients were investigated in four groups: Group 1 (n = 24; Biofilm (+), Cu-IUD removed), Group 2 (n = 14; Biofilm (+), Cu-IUD not removed), Group 3 (n = 29; Biofilm (-), Cu-IUD removed), Group 4 (n = 33; Biofilm (-), Cu-IUD not removed). Patients in each group were followed for clinical signs and symptoms for 8–16 months and compared to each other. Results: Symptoms, physical findings and candida positivity have decreased statistically significantly in Group 1 one year after removal of Cu-IUD (95.8% vs. 4.2%, p < 0.01; 95.8% vs. 4.2%, p < 0.01; 100% vs. 8.3%, p < 0.01 respectively). In Group 2, symptoms, physical findings and candida positivity have decreased after follow-up, but without a statistical significance. In Group 3, all the parameters have decreased, but only decrease in candida positivity has reached statistical significance (100% vs. 48.3%, p < 0.01). In Group 4 – as in Group 1– symptoms, physical findings and candida positivity have decreased statistically significantly (48.5% vs. 18.2%, p = 0.01; 72.7% vs. 48.5%, p = 0.05; 100% vs. 51.5%, p < 0.01 respectively). Conclusion: Biofilm forming microorganisms should be considered in the management of vaginal infections or symptoms for safer use of intrauterine devices.

Keywords::

• Biofilm
• fertility control
• general obstetrics
• intrauterine device
• vulvovaginal candidiasis

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.