The Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology (IDSOG) was created in 1973 to bring together professionals in the field of obstetrics and gynecology who are interested in the scientific study of infectious diseases in women. Activities of the Society are conducted for the advancement and promulgation of knowledge in infectious diseases, for improvements in women's health care, and for the facilitation of personal and collaborative relationships among investigators in infectious diseases related to women's health care.

Membership

There are currently 120 members of IDSOG from the United States, Europe, and Australia The membership is well represented by academic senior faculty and research scientists. Nearly one-half of the members in academic medicine hold the rank of Professor, Chair or Vice-Chair. Research scientists include members from prestigious government agencies and private industry.

Since its inception, members of IDSOG have taken pride in providing leadership, scholarship, and service in women's infectious diseases at a local, regional and national basis. Some of these accomplishments are outlined below.

Scholarship

Members of IDSOG have published more than 5,000 scientific articles, as well as numerous authoritative texts and chapters. Through their research efforts, and advocacy for women's health, members have:

• Characterized the microbial pathogens responsible for female genital tract infections including:
  • Vaginitis
  • Endometrititis
  • Intraamniotic infections
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease

  Collectively, these infections affect millions of women annually and are important contributors to preterm birth and infertility.

• Developed standardized diagnostic criteria for
  • Bacterial vaginosis
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Intraamniotic infections

• Developed standard rational and efficacious treatments for a variety of reproductive infections

• Contributed to the understanding of the pathology of important reproductive infections including:
  • Chlamydial infections
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Genital HSV
  • Intraamniotic infection and its associations with preterm birth and cerebral palsy

Leadership & Service

Members of IDSOG fill important leadership positions at local, regional, and national levels.

• Through their advocacy for women's health, the society has led the field in writing important position papers that influence the national standard of care, including:
  • Management of genital HSV infection during pregnancy
  • Prevention of neonatal infection with Group B Streptococcus
  • Women's immunization practices
  • Treatment of genital infections to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes
  • Management of HIV in pregnancy

• Members have served in leadership positions for other organizations including:
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, including a past president
  • ACOG Practice Bulletins
  • NIH Special Emphasis panels
  • NIH Study Sections
  • Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
  • Guidelines groups including Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, Public Health Service Task Force Recommendations for Use of Antiretroviral Drugs in Pregnant HIV-Infected Women for Maternal Health and Interventions to Reduce Perinatal HIV Transmission in the United States, Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents

• Members serve on the Editorial Boards of prestigious professional journals:
  • Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Reproductive Sciences
  • Contemporary OB/GYN
  • Infectious Diseases for Obstetrics & Gynecology

• IDSOG members are also actively involved in addressing health care disparities in America and around the world. Members are actively involved in Global Health and women's advocacy in many areas including:
  • HIV treatment and prevention trials in the US, Africa and South America
  • Global Alliance for the Prevention of Prematurity and Stillbirth.

Affiliation

The Society is an affiliate organization of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. IDSOG encourages interaction and collaboration between members and with others interested in women's health and infectious diseases. Any qualified physician or scientist who is associated with an organization in women's health or infectious diseases in women may be considered for membership. Prospective members must have demonstrated continuing individual interest and scientific productivity in infectious diseases and women's health through publications, teaching, focused practice and research, and service. An annual scientific meeting and symposium encouraging the active exchange of scientific ideas is held during August of each year.

Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology
409 12th Street, S.W., PO Box 96920, Washington, D.C. 20090-6920
(202) 863-2570; fax (202) 554-0453; or email mjohnson@acog.org.