Fatal peritonitis following IUD-associated salpingitis.

Previous reports have implicated the Dalkon shield intrauterine device (IUD) in septic second trimester abortion and maternal death from sepsis. In the case reported here, Fusobacterium necrophorum, a rarely pathogenic vaginal anaerobe, gained access to the uterus in a woman wearing a Dalkon shield and caused acute parametritis, overwhelming peritonitis, systemic sepsis, and death. It is well known that IUDs can contribute to the development of serious pelvic infections, and in this case it is possible that the Dalkon shield was the cause of the ascending infection into the uterus.