title: Improved cure of bacterial vaginosis with single dose of tinidazole (2 g), Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most prevalent vaginal infection worldwide and is characterized by depletion of the indigenous lactobacilli. Antimicrobial therapy is often ineffective. We hypothesized that probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 might provide an adjunct to antimicrobial treatment and improve cure rates. Sixty-four Brazilian women diagnosed with BV were randomly assigned to receive a single dose of tinidazole (2 g) supplemented with either 2 placebo capsules or 2 capsules containing L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 every morning for the following 4 weeks. At the end of treatment (day 28), the probiotic group had a significantly higher cure rate of BV (87.5%) than the placebo group (50.0%) (p = 0.001). In addition, according to the Gram-stain Nugent score, more women were assessed with "normal" vaginal microbiota in the probiotic group (75.0% vs. 34.4% in the placebo group; p = 0.011). This study shows that probiotic lactobacilli can provide benefits to women being treated with antibiotics for an infectious condition.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Analises Clinicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, 14040-903 Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael C R
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Sílvio A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Franceschini
authors.forename: Maristela C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Patta
authors.forename: Silvana M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Quintana
authors.forename: Bruna C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Elaine C P
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: De Martinis
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D052200:Limosilactobacillus reuteri / Q000502:physiology*; D052201:Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014011:Tinidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D014011:Tinidazole