Aspiration of a tubo-ovarian abscess in a 29-year-old woman yields a heavy growth of organisms. The most consistent microbiological finding in such abscesses is:

• A Pure culture of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• B Pure culture of Chlamydia trachomatis
• C Monomicrobial growth of Ureaplasma urealyticum
• D Polymicrobial flora containing both aerobic and anaerobic organisms ✓

Explanation

By the time a tubo-ovarian abscess forms, infection has become polymicrobial, with a mixture of aerobic coliforms and strict anaerobes such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Peptostreptococcus species. This is why recommended regimens always include anaerobic coverage such as metronidazole or clindamycin. Neisseria and Chlamydia initiate upper tract infection but are rarely recovered from established abscess pus, and mycoplasmas or ureaplasmas are not typical monomicrobial abscess pathogens.

Reference: Williams Gynecology, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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