Behavioral predictors of colonization with Lactobacillus crispatus or Lactobacillus jensenii after treatment for bacterial vaginosis: a cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate predictors of vaginal colonization with lactobacilli after treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV).


METHODS
Vaginal fluid specimens from women with BV underwent qPCR for Lactobacillus crispatus, L. jensenii, and L. iners pre- and posttreatment.


RESULTS
Few women with BV were colonized with L. crispatus (4/44, 9%) or L. jensenii (1/44, 2%), though all had L. iners. One month posttreatment 12/44 (27%) had L. crispatus, 12/44 (27%) L. jensenii, and 43/44 (98%) L. iners. Presence of L. jensenii posttreatment was associated with cure (Risk Ratio (RR) 1.67; 95% CI 1.09-2.56); L. crispatus showed a similar trend (RR 1.41; 95% CI 0.89-2.24, P = 0.14). Receptive oral sex was associated with 2.2-log(10) lower concentration of L. crispatus (95% CI -4.38, -.02), and digital-vaginal sex with 2.6-log(10) lower concentration (95% CI -4.87, -.33).


CONCLUSIONS
One month after BV treatment, few women established colonization with L. crispatus or L. jensenii. Few behaviors were associated with colonization.
Harborview Women's Clinic, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA. camitch@u.w.edu
Caroline
C
Mitchell
Lisa E
LE
Manhart
Kathy
K
Thomas
Tina
T
Fiedler
David N
DN
Fredricks
Jeanne
J
Marrazzo
D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000032:analysis; D012008:Recurrence; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D008795:Metronidazole