Lactobacillus crispatus capsules: single-use safety study in the Macaca nemestrina model.
BACKGROUND
Lactobacillus crispatus is a part of the normal vaginal microflora of humans.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to assess whether a capsule containing an H2O2-producing strain of L crispatus (CTV-05) would alter the vaginal microflora and/or epithelial tissues when applied intravaginally in the pig-tailed macaque model.


METHODS
Ten sexually mature female Macaca nemestrina were assessed at baseline for quantitative vaginal microbiology and vaginal pH and with colposcopy. One capsule containing 108 colony forming units of desiccated L crispatus CTV-05 was inserted into the vaginal fornix of each animal. Vaginal assessments were repeated on days 1 and 2 after capsule insertion. The L crispatus CTV-05 strain was identified with use of a DNA fingerprinting method.


RESULTS
Before product use, four of 10 animals had detectable levels of H2O2-producing lactobacilli. L crispatus CTV-05 was detected in 1 of 10 animals on day 1 and in 3 of 10 animals on day 2 following insertion of the capsule. There were no tissue changes observed by colposcopy. Vaginal pH decreased in two animals colonized by CTV-05, from 7.0 at baseline to 4.5+/-0.5 on days 1 and 2 after product use.


CONCLUSIONS
A single intravaginal application of capsules containing 108 L crispatus CTV-05 resulted in vaginal colonization in three of 10 animals 2 days after use. The absence of colposcopic changes in the vagina/cervical tissues indicates that L crispatus capsules are well tolerated.
Patton
Dorothy L
DL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-6460, USA. dpatton@u.washington.edu
Cosgrove Sweeney
Yvonne T
YT
Antonio
May A D
MA
Rabe
Lorna K
LK
Hillier
Sharon L
SL
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000818:Animals; D002214:Capsules; D003127:Colposcopy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008254:Macaca nemestrina; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000517:prevention & control
D002214:Capsules; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide