Oral use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14 significantly alters vaginal flora: randomized,placebo-controlled trial in 64 healthy women

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.     

Oral probiotics can resolve urogenital infections

We report the first clinical evidence that probiotic lactobacilli can be delivered to the vagina following oral intake. In 10 women with a history of recurrent yeast vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis (BV) and urinary tract infections, strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14 suspended in skim milk and given twice daily for 14 days, were recovered from the vagina and identified by morphology and molecular typing within 1 week of commencement of therapy. In six cases of asymptomatic BV or intermediate BV (based upon Nugent scoring) was resolved within 1 week of therapy.     

Lactic acid bacteria colonization and clinical outcome after probiotic supplementation in conventionally treated bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis

This randomized double-blind placebo controlled study assessed the vaginal colonization of lactic acid bacteria and clinical outcome. Vaginal capsules containing L gasseri LN40, Lactobacillus fermentum LN99, L. casei subsp. rhamnosus LN113 and P. acidilactici LN23, or placebos were administered for five days to 95 women after conventional treatment of bacterial vaginosis and/or vulvovaginal candidiasis. Vulvovaginal examinations and vaginal samplings were performed before and after administration, after the first and second menstruation, and after six months. Presence of LN strains was assessed using RAPD analysis. LN strains were present 2–3 days after administration in 89% of the women receiving LN strains (placebo: 0%, p < 0.0001). After one menstruation 53% were colonized by at least one LN strain. Nine percent were still colonized six months after administration. Ninety-three percent of the women receiving LN strains were cured 2–3 days after administration (placebo: 83%), and 78% after one menstruation (placebo: 71%) (ns). The intervention group experienced less malodorous discharge 2–3 days after administration (p = 0.03) and after the second menstruation (p = 0.04), compared with placebo. In summary, five days of vaginal administration of LN strains after conventional treatment of bacterial vaginosis and/or vulvovaginal candidiasis lead to vaginal colonization, somewhat fewer recurrences and less malodorous discharge.     

Augmentation of antimicrobial metronidazole therapy of bacterial vaginosis with oral probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14: randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial

This study enrolled 125 premenopausal women diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis (BV) by presence of vaginal irritation, discharge and 'fishy' odor, and Nugent criteria and detection of sialidase enzyme. The subjects were treated with oral metronidazole (500 mg) twice daily from days 1 to 7, and randomized to receive oral Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 (1 x 10(9)) and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 (1 x 10(9)) or placebo twice daily from days 1 to 30. Primary outcome was cure of BV as determined by normal Nugent score, negative sialidase test and no symptoms or signs of BV at day 30. A total of 106 subjects returned for 30-day follow-up, of which 88% were cured in the antibiotic/probiotic group compared to 40% in the antibiotic/placebo group (p<0.001). Of the remaining subjects, 30% subjects in the placebo group and none in the probiotic group had BV, while 30% in the placebo and 12% in the probiotic group fell into the intermediate category based upon Nugent score, sialidase result and clinical findings. High counts of Lactobacillus sp. (>10(5) CFU/ml) were recovered from the vagina of 96% probiotic-treated subjects compared to 53% controls at day 30. In summary, this study showed efficacious use of lactobacilli and antibiotic in the eradication of BV in black African women.     

乳杆菌活菌胶囊治疗细菌性阴道病的疗效观测

目的观察甲硝唑和乳杆菌活菌胶囊（商品名定君生）联合用药治疗细菌性阴道病的疗效。方法68例细菌性阴道病患者随机分成2组各34例,A组用甲硝唑0．5g塞阴道,每日1次,共7d,同时用定君生胶囊0．25g塞阴道,每日1次,共10d。B组单用硝唑栓0．5g塞阴道。结果停药后7d复查,A组有效率为91．17％,B组有效率为85．29％,2组差异无统计学意义;治疗3个月复查,A组有效率为88．23％,B组有效率为67．47％,2组差异有统计学意义。结论甲硝唑联合定君生治疗细菌性阴道病疗效确切,复发率低,是目前治疗细菌性阴道病的较好方法,值得推广使用。     

Study of adhesion and survival of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria on table olives with the aim of formulating a new probiotic food

With the aim of developing new functional foods, a traditional product, the table olive, was used as a vehicle for incorporating probiotic bacterial species. Survival on table olives of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (three strains), Lactobacillus paracasei (two strains), Bifidobacterium bifidum (one strain), and Bifidobacterium longum (one strain) at room temperature was investigated. The results obtained using a selected olive sample demonstrated that bifidobacteria and one strain of L. rhamnosus (Lactobacillus GG) showed a good survival rate, with a recovery of about 10(6) CFU g(-1) after 30 days. The Lactobacillus GG population remained unvaried until the end of the experiment, while a slight decline (to about 10(5) CFU g(-1)) was observed for bifidobacteria. High viability, with more than 10(7) CFU g(-1), was observed throughout the 3-month experiment for L. paracasei IMPC2.1. This strain, selected for its potential probiotic characteristics and for its lengthy survival on olives, was used to validate table olives as a carrier for transporting bacterial cells into the human gastrointestinal tract. L. paracasei IMPC2.1 was recovered from fecal samples in four out of five volunteers fed 10 to 15 olives per day carrying about 10(9) to 10(10) viable cells for 10 days.     

Clinical study comparing probiotic Lactobacillus GR-1 and RC-14 with metronidazole vaginal gel to treat symptomatic bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is particularly common in black women, and in Nigeria it is often caused by Mycoplasma, as well as Atopobium, Prevotella and Gardnerella sp. Antimicrobial metronidazole oral therapy is poorly effective in eradicating the condition and restoring the Lactobacillus microbiota in the vagina. In this study, 40 women diagnosed with BV by discharge, fishy odor, sialidase positive test and Nugent Gram stain scoring, were randomized to receive either two dried capsules containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 each night for 5 days, or 0.75% metronidazole gel, applied vaginally twice a day (in the morning and evening). Follow-up at day 6, 15 and 30 showed cure of BV in significantly more probiotic treated subjects (16, 17 and 18/20, respectively) compared to metronidazole treatment (9, 9 and 11/20: P=0.016 at day 6, P=0.002 at day 15 and P=0.056 at day 30). This is the first report of an effective (90%) cure of BV using probiotic lactobacilli. Given the correlation between BV and HIV, and the high risk of the latter in Nigeria, intravaginal use of lactobacilli could provide women with a self-use therapy, similar to over-the-counter anti-yeast medication, for treatment of urogenital infections.     

Bacterial vaginosis among a group of married Jordanian women: occurrence and laboratory diagnosis

A total of 310 vaginal swabs collected from a group of married Jordanian women complaining of vaginal discharge were examined for bacterial vaginosis. The scoring system of Nugent for the interpretation of Gram staining was employed. This system revealed the presence of the condition in 29.7% of patients. Results obtained using the scoring system correlated significantly with the detection of clue cells and the scarcity of white blood cells in the vaginal discharge. An inverse relationship was found between bacterial vaginosis and Lactobacillus morphotypes determined by Gram staining. No definite relationship was detected between bacterial vaginosis and the recovery of Gardnerella vaginalis by culture as this organism was isolated from swabs which according to the Nugent criterion were negative for bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis among the women investigated was more prevalent than vaginitis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis or yeasts.     

乳杆菌泡腾片治疗细菌性阴道病

目的观察10例BV患者采用了信谊制药总厂生产的阴道嗜酸乳杆菌泡腾片1个疗程(7 d)后阴道菌群的变化。方法采用7种选择或非选择培养基对阴道分泌物的细菌总数、乳杆菌等7个指标进行检测。结果治疗后阴道中乳杆菌显著增多,厌氧革兰阴性杆菌显著减少(两者P<0.001)。细菌总数、肠杆菌、酵母菌和阴道加德纳菌均减少(P<0.01)。结论信谊阴道嗜酸乳杆菌泡腾片具有较好的调整阴道微生态平衡的作用。     

应用qPCR方法快速定量检测阴道分泌物中乳杆菌的研究

目的建立快速、定量检测女性阴道分泌物中乳杆菌的方法。方法合成针对乳杆菌的特异性引物,建立乳杆菌qPCR标准曲线后,进一步对收集得到的健康女性及细菌性阴道病女性阴道分泌物样品中乳杆菌进行定量检测。结果引物仅扩增出乳杆菌特异性DNA条带,qPCR能够检测到各分泌物样本中乳杆菌的数量。结论建立了一种快速、定量女性阴道分泌物中乳杆菌检测方法。     

The use of the biotherapeutic agent Zhlemik for correcting the microflora in bacterial vaginosis

The vaginal microflora in 11 women suffering with bacterial vaginosis was corrected by BTA "Zlemik" contained highly adhesive strain Lactobacillus. BTA was administered intravaginal in dose 1 suppositoria at night during 15 days. It was established in majority cases that clinical symptoms and discharges have disappeared. The value of pH has decreased from 5.6-6.2 to 4.6-4.8. After biotherapeutic therapy significantly increased of the levels of Lactobacillus and percentage of the presence Bifidobacterium. The number of non-spore-forming obligatory anaerobic bacteria, Streptococcus and Gardnerella decreased in 10 and 100 times respectively.     

定君生联合臭氧水治疗细菌性阴道病临床观察

目的分析定君生联合臭氧水治疗细菌性阴道病临床观察。方法选择92例细菌性阴道病的患者,分为观察组和对照组。观察组用定君生联合臭氧水治疗,对照组用甲硝唑栓,治疗时间为10 d,观察两组患者治疗后的临床疗效和安全性。结果治疗10 d后,观察组患者临床有效率为89.13%,对照组患者临床有效率为84.78%,两者差异无统计学意义,在治疗中无一例不良反应。结论定君生联合臭氧水治疗细菌性阴道病有较好的疗效,有利于阴道微生态的恢复,而且治疗过程中,无一例患者发生副反应,表明定君生联合臭氧水治疗细菌性阴道病是安全的。     

Fecal microflora of Greek healthy neonates

This study aimed to explore, in our geographical region, the development of intestinal microflora and the colonization patterns of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria during the first three months of life and to investigate the effect of the mode of delivery. Fecal specimens from 82 healthy, full-term infants were collected prospectively 4, 30 and 90 days after delivery and subcultured on nonselective and selective media. Identification of isolates was performed by microbiological and molecular methods. For the delivery effect, two groups of vaginally or caesarean-delivered exclusively breast-fed infants were studied. Despite the early high total counts of aerobes and anaerobes, colonization of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria was overall limited until 3 months of age. Furthermore, caesarean-delivered infants were less often colonized with lactobacilli at day 4 (4% vs. 59%, p = 0.000) and with bifidobacteria at day 4 (0% vs. 23%, p = 0.015) and 30 (0% vs. 35%, p = 0.042) compared to vaginally delivered ones. No bacterial populations differences were detected to compare colonized infants. Identification results indicated the predominance of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus johnsonii and Lactobacillus paracasei species in neonatal gut microflora up to the first month of life and diversity of Lactobacillus species in vaginally delivered, colonized newborns, at fourth day. Furthermore, Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium breve were the most frequently detected Bifidobacterium species in vaginally delivered, breast-fed infants. In conclusion our study revealed a restricted colonization pattern of lactic acid bacteria in Greek infants and a delay in the development of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. microbiota after caesarean section. Further analysis of potential consequences of these findings is required.     

The range of antagonistic effects of Lactobacillus bacterial strains on etiologic agents of bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is caused by uncontrolled sequential overgrowth of some anaerobic bacteria: Gardnerella vaginalis, Prevotella bivia, Bacteroides spp., Peptostreptococcus spp., Mobiluncus sp. usually occurring in stable numbers in the bacterial flora of healthy women. On the other hand, different species of bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus, most frequently L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus and L. acidophilus, form a group of aerobic bacteria dominating in the same environment. The diversity and density of their populations depend on the age and health conditions. Thanks to their antagonistic and adherence properties bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus can maintain a positive balance role in this ecosystem. The aim of this study was to assess the antagonistic properties of Lactobacillus strains isolated from the vagina of healthy women against most common agents of bacterial vaginosis. It was found that nearly all of the tested Lactobacillus strains exerted distinct antagonistic activity against anaerobic bacteria: Gardnerella vaginalis, Prevotella bivia and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and quite a number also against Gram-negative rods, while only some of them were able to inhibit Gram-positive aerobic cocci as Enterococcus faecalis or Staphylococcus aureus.     

利用X-Neu5Ac为底物测定唾液酸酶活性在诊断细菌性阴道病的价值

目的利用5溴-4氯-3吲哚乙酰基神经氨酸盐（X-Neu5Ac）为底物测定阴道唾液酸酶活性诊断细菌性阴道病（bacterial vaginosis,BV）的价值.方法健康妇女30例,临床Amsel法诊断为BV的患者45例,共计75例进行了阴道分泌物分析和检测,并与唾液酸酶活性法诊断作了对比研究.取阴道分泌物作为标本分别进行唾液酸酶活性和阴道菌群定量分析,检测细菌包括乳酸杆菌、类杆菌、肠杆菌、葡萄球菌、肠球菌和阴道加德纳菌.唾液酸酶活性测定利用的底物为X-Neu5Ac,特异活性用其产物 ——甲氧基苯酚的纳摩尔数来表示.结果阴道液唾液酸酶活性测定诊断细菌性阴道病的敏感性、特异性、阳性预期值和阴性预期值分别为88.9%、90%、93%和84.3%.唾液酸酶法在检测细菌性阴道病上和传统的Amsel法比较,差异无显著性（P＞0.05）.唾液酸酶阳性组Gv活菌数（6.96 log CFU/g）明显高于唾液酸酶阴性组（2.05 log CFU/g）（P＜0.01）.唾液酸酶阳性组产H2O2阴道乳杆菌（LB＋）活菌数（4.26 Log CFU/g）明显低于唾液酸酶阴性组（8.66 Log CFU/g）（P＜0.01）.唾液酸酶阳性组与唾液酸酶阴性组两组的阴道液中需氧菌活菌数差异无显著性（P＞0.05）,主要包括金黄色葡萄球菌、肠球菌和肠杆菌.结论利用X-Neu5Ac作为唾液酸酶的底物测定唾液酸酶活性的方法是诊断细菌性阴道病的有效检测方法.阴道内唾液酸酶活性增强,厌氧菌数量增加,LB＋数量减少,提示BV发生恶化.     

阴道乳杆菌胶囊对产后6周妇女特异性阴道炎防治作用的临床探讨

目的探讨微生物制剂（阴道乳杆菌胶囊）对产后6周妇女特异性阴道炎（细菌性阴道病、滴虫性阴道炎、外阴阴道念珠菌病）的防治作用。方法采用前瞻性研究方法。自2009年6月至2011年8月先后收集895例产后6周特异性阴道炎妇女,包括细菌性阴道病535例、外阴阴道念珠菌病339例和滴虫性阴道炎21例,随机分成三组,第一组（n=200）阴道局部用乳杆菌胶囊（定君生）250 mg/d,连用10 d;第二组（n=200）阴道局部用抗菌药（细菌性阴道病或滴虫性阴道炎：甲硝唑栓500 mg/d,外阴阴道念珠菌病：克霉唑栓150 mg/d,连用10 d）;第三组（n=200）阴道局部用抗菌药＋乳杆菌胶囊（细菌性阴道病或滴虫性阴道炎：甲硝唑栓500 mg/d＋定君生250 mg/d,外阴阴道念珠菌病：克霉唑栓150 mg/d＋定君生250mg/d,连用10 d）,三组均于停药1周后复查阴道分泌物以了解疗效,以及产后3、6、9、12个月分别复查阴道分泌物,以了解三组产后1年内阴道pH、乳杆菌数量变化情况及阴道炎复发率情况。结果 600例产后6周特异性阴道炎妇女中,单用定君生治疗组总有效率为76.5%;用甲硝唑栓或克霉唑栓治疗组总有效率为77.5%;两组总疗效比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。用抗菌药（甲硝唑栓或克霉唑栓）＋定君生治疗组总有效率为95.0%,与前两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。应用定君生治疗两组1年内阴道pH明显降低,阴道乳酸杆菌数量明显增多,以＋＋＋~＋＋＋＋比例为主,且追踪1年阴道炎的发生率均明显降低,与只用抗生素治疗组相比差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论阴道乳杆菌胶囊（定君生）是治疗特异性阴道炎的有效药物,与传统抗生素相比疗效差异无统计学意义,且定君生联合抗生素治疗特异性阴道炎,疗效更为显著,这不失为一个新的治疗途径。产后6周妇女特异性阴道炎选用微生态制剂（阴道乳?     

Molecular identification of vaginal lactobacilli isolated from Bulgarian women

Lactobacilli play an important role in maintaining the vaginal health of women. The development of suitable bacterial replacement therapies for the treatment of vaginosis requires knowledge of the vaginal lactobacilli species representation. The aim of this study was to identify at the species level vaginal Lactobacillus isolates obtained from Bulgarian women in childbearing age by using different molecular methods. Twenty-two strains of lactobacilli isolated from vaginal samples were identified and grouped according to their genetic relatedness. A combined approach, which included amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA), ribotyping and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with species-specific oligonucleotide primers was applied. All vaginal isolates were grouped into 5 clusters in␣comparison with a set of 21 reference strains based␣on the initial ARDRA results, which was then confirmed by ribotyping. Finally, the strains were subjected to PCR analysis with eight different species-specific primer pairs, which allowed most of␣them to be classified as belonging to one of␣the␣following species: Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus plantarum. In conclusion, this study suggests that the most straightforward identification strategy for vaginal lactobacilli would be grouping by ARDRA or ribotyping, followed by PCR specific primers identification at species level.     

Dynamics of vaginal bacterial communities in women developing bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, or no infection, analyzed by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and real-time PCR

The microbial flora of the vagina plays a major role in preventing genital infections, including bacterial vaginosis (BV) and candidiasis (CA). An integrated approach based on PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and real-time PCR was used to study the structure and dynamics of bacterial communities in vaginal fluids of healthy women and patients developing BV and CA. Universal eubacterial primers and Lactobacillus genus-specific primers, both targeted at 16S rRNA genes, were used in DGGE and real-time PCR analysis, respectively. The DGGE profiles revealed that the vaginal flora was dominated by Lactobacillus species under healthy conditions, whereas several potentially pathogenic bacteria were present in the flora of women with BV. Lactobacilli were the predominant bacterial population in the vagina for patients affected by CA, but changes in the composition of Lactobacillus species were observed. Real-time PCR analysis allowed the quantitative estimation of variations in lactobacilli associated with BV and CA diseases. A statistically significant decrease in the relative abundance of lactobacilli was found in vaginal fluids of patients with BV compared to the relative abundance of lactobacilli in the vaginal fluids of healthy women and patients with CA.     

定君生在预防阴道炎复发中的临床效果

目的评价定君生在预防阴道炎复发中的临床效果。方法将2010年10月至2011年6月四川省人民医院妇科门诊686例阴道炎（细菌性阴道病,假丝酵母菌阴道炎,滴虫性阴道炎）患者随机分为两组,研究组在阴道炎常规治疗后给予定君生巩固治疗;对照组仅给予常规治疗。结果研究组复发率明显低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论定君生能调整阴道菌群比例,维持阴道酸碱平衡,从而有效减少阴道炎的复发。