Microbiology & Immunology Publications
Influence of three-day antimicrobial therapy and lactobacillus vaginal suppositories on recurrence or urinary tract infections
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-20-2003
Journal
FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology
Volume
35
Issue
2
First Page
131
Last Page
134
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1016/S0928-8244(02)00465-0
Abstract
Urogenital infections afflict an estimated one billion people each year. The size of this problem and the increased prevalence of multi-drug resistant pathogens make it imperative that alternative remedies be found. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 64 healthy women given daily oral capsules of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14 for 60 days showed no adverse effects. Microscopy analysis showed restoration from asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis microflora to a normal lactobacilli colonized microflora in 37% women during lactobacilli treatment compared to 13% on placebo (P=0.02). Lactobacilli were detected in more women in the lactobacilli-treated group than in the placebo group at 28 day (P=0.08) and 60 day (P=0.05) test points. Culture findings confirmed a significant increase in vaginal lactobacilli at day 28 and 60, a significant depletion in yeast at day 28 and a significant reduction in coliforms at day 28, 60 and 90 for lactobacilli-treated subjects versus controls. The combination of probiotic L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14 is not only safe for daily use in healthy women, but it can reduce colonization of the vagina by potential pathogenic bacteria and yeast. © 2003 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.