Effectiveness of oral administration of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei F19 in association with vaginal suppositories of Lactobacillus acidofilus in the treatment of vaginosis and in the prevention of recurrent vaginitis [Efficacia dell'utilizzo del Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei F19 nella vaginosi e nella prevenzione delle recidive di vaginite somministrato per via orale contemporaneamente ad un Lactobacillus acidofilus per via vaginale

Aim. The aim of this paper was to estimate the effectiveness of the contemporary oral administration of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp paracasei F19 in association with vaginal suppositories containing Lactobacillus acidofilus in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis and in the prevention of recurrent vaginitis. Methods. We have recruited 60 women in good health, aged between 18 and 40 years with suspect or confirmed diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. The women were randomized in 2 groups: Group A treated with vaginal suppositories containing Lactobacillus acidofilus (Calagin, SIFFRA, Florence); Group B treated with the same vaginal suppositories + probiotic containing Lactobacillus paracasei subsp paracasei F19 for oral administration (Gene-filus F19, SIFFRA, Florence). The patients were examined at the end of therapy (3 months) and then after 3 months from the end of treatment. Results. In both groups at end of therapy there was a significant reduction of vaginal pH, an improvement of sniff test and of the subjective symptomatology after 3 months of treatment which still decreased during follow-up (3 months). In Group B there was a meaningful reduction of vaginal pH and of sniff test at the end of therapy and a maintenance of positive effect also after 3 months. Conclusion. The results obtained in this study show that the therapy with vaginal Lactobacillus in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis is successful. The association of oral administration is useful to balance the vaginal environment with the intestinal microflora with improvement of long-term results. The use of probiotics was determinant in the treatment of a pathology like bacterial vaginosis and as an alternative to the conventional local antibiotic therapies.