PATHOGENETIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CHARACTER OF WOMAN’S UROGENITAL INFECTION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADENOMYOSIS
Authors: SHCHERBINA M.O. , POTAPOVA L.V. , SHCHERBINA I.M. , MERTSALOVA O.V , LIPKO O.P. , CHEKHUNOVA A.O. 
Published: February 2024

Adenomyosis is one of the important problems of modern gynecology, which leads to impaired reproductive function, reduced work capacity and quality of life of women. The prevalence of endometriosis in the female population ranges from 20-55% in patients of reproductive age. An important role in the occurrence and development of adenomyosis is played by genetic predisposition, hormonal changes and the influence of immunological factors. Of great interest is a new concept regarding the significant role of bacterial contamination of the genital tract in patients with adenomyosis. The study of the influence of microorganisms on the mechanisms of activation of the inflammatory reaction associated with the progression of endometrioid lesions is relevant and requires the search for new approaches to diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

The purpose of the work is to study the influence of the woman’s urogenital infection in the development of adenomyosis.

Materials and methods. 85 patients with 1st and 2nd degree adenomyosis and 30 healthy fertile women were examined. The average age of the examined was 27.3±1.6 years. A comprehensive clinical examination, ultrasound, colposcopic, hysteroscopic studies were conducted. Microbial flora analysis included bacterioscopic, bacteriological research methods with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics, and PCR method. The concentration of cytokines in the culture medium (supernatant) was determined by the enzyme immunoassay. Statistical data processing was performed using the Statsoft Statistica v6.0 and Microsoft Excel 97 software packages.

Results. In the structure of gynecological diseases, 95.6% of patients with adenomyosis had inflammatory diseases of female genital organs, chronic herpes and cytomegalovirus infection was found in almost 93%. In women with adenomyosis, the II-III stage of vaginal cleanliness prevails with an “intermediate” type of biocenosis, which is characterized by a reduced content of lactobacilli, the presence of various types of morphotypes of gram-positive and gram-negative rods and cocci, and dysbiosis (49.4%), when a mixed bacterial flora prevails microflora, a high percentage of the combination of adenomyosis with chronic inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs justifies the need to use antimicrobial therapy in this category of patients. When studying the cytokine profile of the cervical contents and endometrium, an increase in the concentration of the main proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα and a factor with chemotoxic properties IL-8 was found. The obtained data indicate that the development of adenomyosis is facilitated by a previous immuneinflammatory reaction, which is accompanied by a violation of the local cytokine balance.

Conclusions. Microbiological examination of patients with adenomyosis revealed a violation of the microbial landscape of the reproductive tract in most of the examined. The obtained data indicate a high percentage of the combination of adenomyosis with chronic inflammatory diseases of the pelvic reproductive organs. Previous adenomyosis is an immunoinflammatory reaction, accompanied by a violation of the local cytokine balance. Increased cytokine activity and the presence of infectious agents are associated with the spread of adenomyosis.