Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a recurrent vaginal condition in childbearing women.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of an oral formulation containing Lactobacillus acidophilus GLA-14, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and bovine lactoferrin on symptoms and recurrence of VVC as adjuvant therapy to topical clotrimazole.
PATIENTS/METHODS: Forty-eight women positive for C. albicans, symptoms of VVC and documented history of recurrences were randomised into 2 groups receiving verum or placebo (2 capsules/day for 5 days followed by 1 capsule/day for additional 10 days) as adjuvant treatment to clotrimazole (induction phase) followed by a maintenance cycle of 6 months (1 capsule/day verum or placebo for 10 consecutive days each month). Symptoms, overall cure rate and recurrence rate were assessed.
RESULTS: After clotrimazole therapy, a significant improvement of symptoms was shown in both groups. However, only women treated with probiotics and lactoferrin showed a significant improvement of itching and discharge at 3 and 6 months. During the six-month follow-up, recurrences were significantly less in the intervention group vs placebo (33.3% vs 91.7% after 3 months and 29.2% vs 100% after 6 months).
CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the investigated lactobacilli mixture in combination with lactoferrin represents a safe and effective adjuvant approach for reducing symptoms and recurrences of RVVC.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 328-335 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Mycoses |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2019 |
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Animals
- Anti-Infective Agents/administration & dosage
- Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal/drug therapy
- Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant/methods
- Clotrimazole/administration & dosage
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Humans
- Lactoferrin/administration & dosage
- Maintenance Chemotherapy/methods
- Middle Aged
- Placebos/administration & dosage
- Probiotics/administration & dosage
- Prospective Studies
- Secondary Prevention/methods
- Treatment Outcome
- Young Adult