Efficiency of vaginally administered probiotic lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 versus oral metronidazole in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: randomized double blind study

ABSTRACT

Background: Bacterial vaginosis [BV] is a relatively complex yet extremely common condition characterized by alteration of the vaginal ecology in which the normal flora, dominated by lactobacilli, is replaced by a mixed bacterial flora. BV is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, increased risk for pelvic inflammatory disease and abnormal cervical cytology. BV can be treated with antibiotics such as metronidazole or clindamycin, either orally or vaginally. However, there is usually a high rate of recurrence. Probiotics are defined as live micro-organisms which, when administered in an adequate amount, confer a health benefit on the host. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of vaginally administered Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 as probiotics in comparison to the standard oral metronidazole therapy in the treatment of symptomatic bacterial vaginosis