Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Oral Fixed-dose Combination of Probiotics in Bacterial Vaginosis
Year: 2019
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the vaginal-specific lactobacilli strain in management of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Materials and methods:A nonrandomized, open-labeled, noncomparative, multicentric study was conducted in a total of 58 female patients suffering from BV.Each patient was administered a combination of four strains of lactobacilli.Vaginal pH, discharge, odor, itching, and painful urination were performed at baseline, week 2, and week 4 as assessment parameters.Results: At the end of the study, data were extractable in only 56 females (mean age was 34.57± 11 years).Associated BV symptoms like vaginal discharge, odor, and painful urination reduced significantly at week 4 as compared to baseline.The most frequently encountered symptoms were vaginal discharge, vaginal pH, odor, and itching.With a shift in pH < 4.5, at the end of week 4 all females showed improvement in the vaginal microbiota.Tolerability of fixed-dose combination was found to be good and none of the subjects discontinued the treatment.Conclusion: Probiotic combination of vaginal-specific probiotic strains was found to be effective and safe for use in females who suffer from BV. Clinical significance: Lactobacilli have been found in very low numbers in women suffering from BV.After supplementing probiotic, mere fall in pH < 4.5 indicates probable colonization of the vagina with a specific strain of lactobacilli has helped in production of lactic acid and restoration of the vaginal microflora.
Source: Journal of SAFOMS
Authors: Arif A Faruqui, Deepti Chitra
Institutions: Bhabha Hospital, Rabindranath Tagore Medical College
Language: English
Subfield: Microbiology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3027837628