Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Nongonococcal and nonchlamydial cervicitis

  • Published:
Current Infectious Disease Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Cervicitis encompasses a variety of gynecologic conditions. Although inflammation on a Papanicolaou smear may be indicative of true cervical inflammation, establishing a diagnosis of mucopurulent cervicitis (MCP) is more clinically useful. MCP seems to be analogous to nongonococcal urethritis in men. Many cases of MCP are related to Chlamydia trachomatis infection, but the majority of cases have other potential causes. Other possible pathogens include Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma genitalium, herpes simplex virus, and cytomegalovirus. Many cases may be related to cervical ectopy. MCP is a marker for endometritis, salpingitis, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Given the current shortcomings in our understanding of this disease, an empiric approach to evaluation and treatment is suggested.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Singh V, Gupta MM, Satyanarayana L, et al.: Association between reproductive tract infections and cervical inflammatory epithelial changes. Sex Transm Dis 1995, 22:25–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Eckert LO, Koutsky LA, Kiviat NB, et al.: The inflammatory Papanicolaou smear: what does it mean? Obstet Gynecol 1995, 86:360–366.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Brunham RC, Paavonen J, Stevens CE, et al.: Mucopurulent cervicitis - the ignored counterpart in women of urethritis in men. N Engl J Med 1984, 311:1–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Paavonen J, Critchlow CW, DeRouen T, et al.: Etiology of cervical inflammation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1986, 154:556–564.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Wilmott FE: Mucopurulent cervicitis: a clinical entity? Genitourin Med 1988, 64:169–171.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Schwartz MA, Hooton TM: Etiology of nongonococcal nonchlamydial urethritis. Dermatol Clin 1998, 16:727–733. A useful review of potential causes of NGU in men.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Totten PA, Schwartz MA, Sjöström KE, et al.: Association of Mycoplasma genitalium with nongonococcal urethritis in heterosexual men. J Infect Dis 2001, 183:269–276.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Horner P, Thomas B, Gilroy CB, et al.: Role of Mycoplasma genitalium and Ureaplasma urealyticum in acute and chronic nongonococcal urethritis. Clin Infect Dis 2001, 32:995–1003. An extensive study of M. genitalium and U. urealyticum in men with NGU. Provides pre- and post-treatment data, and sheds some light on these organisms on recurrent and persistent NGU. May have implications for MCP in women.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Uno M, Deguchi T, Komeda H, et al.: Mycoplamsa genitalium in the cervices of Japanese women. Sex Transm Dis 1997, 5:284–286. Study implicating M. genitalium as a cause of MCP.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Paavonen J, Miettinen A, Stevens CA, et al.: Mycoplasma hominis in cervicitis and endometritis. Sex Transm Dis 1983, 4:276–280.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Schwebke JR, Schulien MB, Zajackowski M: Pilot study to evaluate the appropriate management of patients with coexistent bacterial vaginosis and cervicitis. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol 1995, 3:119–122.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Critchlow CW, Wölner-Hanssen P, Eschenbach DA, et al.: Determinants of cervical ectopia and of cervicitis: age, oral contraception, specific cervical infection, smoking, and douching. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1995, 173:534–543.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Paavonen J, Kiviat N, Brunham RC, et al.: Prevalence and manifestations of endometritis among women with cervicitis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1985, 152:280–286.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Peipert JF, Ness RB, Soper DE, Bass D: Association of lower genital tract inflammation with objective evidence of endometritis. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol 2000, 8:83–87.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. McClelland RS, Wang CC, Mandaliya K, et al.: Treatment of cervicitis is associated with decreased cervical shedding of HIV-1. AIDS 2001, 15:105–110.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Nugent RP, Hillier SL: Mucopurulent cervicitis as as a predictor of chlamydial infection and adverse pregnancy outcome. Sex Transm Dis 1992, 19:198–202.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Paavonen J, Roberts PL, Stevens CE, et al.: Randomized treatment of mucopurulent cervicitis with doxycycline or amoxicillin. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1989, 161:128–35.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 1998 Guidelinesfor treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. MMWR 1998, 47(RR 1):52–53.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nyirjesy, P. Nongonococcal and nonchlamydial cervicitis. Curr Infect Dis Rep 3, 540–545 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-001-0092-6

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-001-0092-6

Keywords

Navigation