The Dalkon Shield Controversy

Tatum, Howard J.

doi:10.1001/jama.1975.03240190015009

Cited by 90 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 6 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Evidence for biofilms on IUDs has been demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (12,89,127) and by culture on complex media (127,200,219). Using the scanning electron microscope, Marrie and Costerton also demonstrated the presence of human leukocytes and cellular debris in the biofilms (127).…”

Section: Intrauterine Devicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another study determined that contamination was heaviest on the distal portions of the tail, which is directly exposed to the vaginal flora (12). Tatum et al (200) proposed that the tail of the Dalkon Shield IUD could act as a wick to allow bacteria to travel by capillary action and enter the endometrial cavity. They showed, using dye uptake and bacterial cultures in vitro, that this could happen.…”

Section: Intrauterine Devicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Biofilms: Survival Mechanisms of Clinically Relevant Microorganisms

2002

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Though biofilms were first described by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, the theory describing the biofilm process was not developed until 1978. We now understand that biofilms are universal, occurring in aquatic and industrial water systems as well as a large number of environments and medical devices relevant for public health. Using tools such as the scanning electron microscope and, more recently, the confocal laser scanning microscope, biofilm researchers now understand that biofilms are not unstructured, homogeneous deposits of cells and accumulated slime, but complex communities of surface-associated cells enclosed in a polymer matrix containing open water channels. Further studies have shown that the biofilm phenotype can be described in terms of the genes expressed by biofilm-associated cells. Microorganisms growing in a biofilm are highly resistant to antimicrobial agents by one or more mechanisms. Biofilm-associated microorganisms have been shown to be associated with several human diseases, such as native valve endocarditis and cystic fibrosis, and to colonize a wide variety of medical devices. Though epidemiologic evidence points to biofilms as a source of several infectious diseases, the exact mechanisms by which biofilm-associated microorganisms elicit disease are poorly understood. Detachment of cells or cell aggregates, production of endotoxin, increased resistance to the host immune system, and provision of a niche for the generation of resistant organisms are all biofilm processes which could initiate the disease process. Effective strategies to prevent or control biofilms on medical devices must take into consideration the unique and tenacious nature of biofilms. Current intervention strategies are designed to prevent initial device colonization, minimize microbial cell attachment to the device, penetrate the biofilm matrix and kill the associated cells, or remove the device from the patient. In the future, treatments may be based on inhibition of genes involved in cell attachment and biofilm formation

show abstract

Section: Intrauterine Devicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Intrauterine Devicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biofilms: Survival Mechanisms of Clinically Relevant Microorganisms

2002

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The tendency for bacteria to form adherent microcolonies when they come in contact with a solid surface is not compatible with the hypothesis advanced by Tatum and colleagues in 1975 that bacteria 'wick' up multifilament IUD tails [43], but is compatible with the observations of Purrier and colleagues [44] that bacteria can be found on the exterior surfaces of multifilament as well as monofilament tails. It is also compatible with the SEM observations of Morgos and colleagues [45] who demonstrated the presence of microcolonies of various organisms on the tails of IUDs removed from a group of Arab women and examined directly.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

The Ljubljana IUDS: further observations on surface morphology

1986

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…13 Analysis of the durations of usage of the copper and plastic devices showed that at each duration the prevalence of positive and suspicious smears was greater in the group using plastic devices (table I). Of these women, the proportion with positive smears increased from 8 % within the first two years to 34-38 % in later years.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From the family planning clinic case records 56 (19%) of all 293 women fitted with intrauterine contraceptive devices had complained of pain (table II), including abdominal pain unrelated to periods (31 cases), menstrual or premenstrual pain (14), low back pain (13), and dyspareunia (7). There were significant differences in the incidences '4 We suggest that these often calcium-encrusted fragments may be the foreign bodies necessary for the growth of actinomycetes.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%