During the putative window of implantation (days 19–24), women underwent endometrial biopsies using a TAO Brush IUMC Endometrial Sampler (Cook Medical) to avoid vaginal and cervical contamination. The timing of the biopsy was based on the last menstrual period by measuring the follicle size with transvaginal ultrasound and was then confirmed by histologic evaluation.
Serum progesterone and beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels were assessed on the day of the biopsy.
Cultural, histological, and functional examinations were carried out in all collected samples.
Endometrial samples were examined for the following infectious agents: Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma spp., Mycoplasma spp., Neisseria gonorrhea, Yeasts; human papillomavirus (HPV), Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
Women with evidence of chronic endometritis (CE) at hysteroscopy were not included in the study. The collected samples were split into two parts: one was put in 10% buffered formalin for paraffin embedding while the other one was preserved at −80 °C. Histologic dating of the endometrium was achieved according to standard criteria by a single investigator who was blinded to clinical outcomes. Histologic diagnosis of CE was based on the criteria described above [9 (link),10 (link)].
We analyzed the following characteristics: superficial stroma edema, increased stroma density, and stromal inflammatory infiltrate dominated by lymphocytes and plasma cells.
In parallel, women underwent vaginal sample collection using a Copan swab (n. 490CE.AM). Similarly, the collected samples were analyzed for the following infectious agents: Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma spp., Mycoplasma spp., Neisseria gonorrhea, Yeasts, human papillomavirus (HPV), Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
In case of endometrial or vaginal infection, specific antibiotic therapy was prescribed, and patients were excluded from the study.
In the control group, no pathogens were identified in the vaginal and in endometrial samples.
Serum progesterone and beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels were assessed on the day of the biopsy.
Cultural, histological, and functional examinations were carried out in all collected samples.
Endometrial samples were examined for the following infectious agents: Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma spp., Mycoplasma spp., Neisseria gonorrhea, Yeasts; human papillomavirus (HPV), Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
Women with evidence of chronic endometritis (CE) at hysteroscopy were not included in the study. The collected samples were split into two parts: one was put in 10% buffered formalin for paraffin embedding while the other one was preserved at −80 °C. Histologic dating of the endometrium was achieved according to standard criteria by a single investigator who was blinded to clinical outcomes. Histologic diagnosis of CE was based on the criteria described above [9 (link),10 (link)].
We analyzed the following characteristics: superficial stroma edema, increased stroma density, and stromal inflammatory infiltrate dominated by lymphocytes and plasma cells.
In parallel, women underwent vaginal sample collection using a Copan swab (n. 490CE.AM). Similarly, the collected samples were analyzed for the following infectious agents: Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma spp., Mycoplasma spp., Neisseria gonorrhea, Yeasts, human papillomavirus (HPV), Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
In case of endometrial or vaginal infection, specific antibiotic therapy was prescribed, and patients were excluded from the study.
In the control group, no pathogens were identified in the vaginal and in endometrial samples.
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