Study: probiotics can increase effectiveness of some antibiotic therapies in treating BV

July 9, 6:39 PMInfectious Disease ExaminerRobert Herriman

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According to the Cochrane Systematic Reviews, researchers determined that antimicrobial treatments for bacterial vaginosis (BV) are effective, but taking lactobacillus tablets alongside metronidazole antibiotic therapy increases effectiveness over taking the antibiotic alone.

The researchers reviewed 24 trials involving 4,422 people. The antibiotics clindamycin and metronidazole both cured BV in over 90% of cases within two to three weeks, although there was a high rate of relapse.

Side effects of metronidazole included nausea and a metallic taste in the mouth. However, it is the cheaper option and therefore likely to remain the most widely used in developing countries.

Lactobacillus probiotic taken alongside metronidazole and taken intravaginally both showed significant effectiveness.

"Treating BV could help reduce susceptibility of women to HIV. Therefore it is important, particularly in the developing world, to establish the most effective and appropriate forms of treatment," says lead researcher Oyinlola Oduyebo, of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology at the University of Lagos in Lagos Nigeria.

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of vaginitis symptoms among women of childbearing age. It is vaginal condition that can produce discharge and results from an overgrowth of certain normal bacteria in the vagina.

There is a chemical imbalance that occurs when different types of bacteria that are normal in the vagina overgrow and outnumber the predominant bacterium, Lactobacillus. Instead of lactobacilli being the most numerous, bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis, and anaerobic bacteria like Bacteroides and Mobiluncus become predominant and cause symptoms.

Many women may show no symptoms, but those that do usually complain of an abnormal, foul-smelling vaginal discharge. The discharge is typically thin and gray or white in color. The amount of discharge varies but is characterized by a fishy odor most noticeable after having sexual intercourse. Other symptoms may include pain during urination and vaginal itching.