Probiotic plus antibiotic improves symptoms of bacterial vaginosis in new study
Probiotics may be an effective adjuvant therapy to antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, says new clinical trial.
Photo © iStockphoto.com/J-Elgaard
A clinical trial1 sponsored by Giellepi S.p.A (Lissone, Italy) found that supplementation with probiotic strains manufactured by DuPont Nutrition & Health (Geneva), including Lactobacillus acidophilus GLA-14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, in combination with bovine lactoferrin RCX, can significantly improve symptoms and reduce the recurrence rate of bacterial vaginosis, when used as an adjuvant therapy to metronidazole, an antibiotic.
In the trial published in Beneficial Microbes, 48 adult women with symptomatic bacterial vaginosis were randomized to receive 1) metronidazole (500 mg twice daily for seven days) in combination with an oral probiotic mixture, plus lactoferrin, or 2) placebo (two capsules/day for five days followed by one capsule/day for ten consecutive days). Administration of probiotics plus lactoferrin or placebo at one capsule/day for ten consecutive days was repeated each month during six months of follow-up.
Results showed that symptoms such as vaginal discharge and itching, and Nugent Score, used to diagnose bacterial vaginosis, were significantly improved with the adjuvant therapy of probiotics plus lactoferrin, compared to placebo. The recurrence of bacterial vaginosis was significantly reduced as well with the adjuvant therapy.
“In the past, qualitative studies have shown that BV is associated with a substantial negative impact on self-esteem, sexual relationships, and quality of life,” Rosario Russo, scientific officer of Giellepi Health Science Division, in a press release. “In many respects, these study results have the potential to positively influence the lives of countless women who can now feel more confident and secure with themselves and in their relationships.”
References:
1. Russo R et al. “Evidence-based mixture containing Lactobacillus strains and lactoferrin to prevent recurrent bacterial vaginosis: a double blind, placebo controlled, randomised clinical trial.” Beneficial Microbes, Published online ahead of print on December 10, 2018.
