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BJOG : An International Journal of... Jan 2020Vaginal probiotics claiming to cure and/or prevent bacterial and/or fungal vaginal dysbiosis are available on the market but, until recently, did not have to be approved...
BACKGROUND
Vaginal probiotics claiming to cure and/or prevent bacterial and/or fungal vaginal dysbiosis are available on the market but, until recently, did not have to be approved as drugs for human use.
OBJECTIVES
We evaluated the impact of vaginal probiotics on bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) cure and/or recurrence, as well as vaginal microbiota (VMB) composition and vaginal detection of probiotic strains.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We performed a systematic literature search in MEDLINE and Embase up to 15 January 2019.
SELECTION CRITERIA
There were no restrictions in probiotic strains/formulations, study populations, and designs. BV had to be diagnosed by Nugent or Ison-Hay Gram stain scoring, VVC by culture, wet mount or PCR, and VMB composition/detection by molecular techniques.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
The authors independently extracted data.
MAIN RESULTS
All 22 vaginal probiotics evaluated in the 34 eligible studies contained Lactobacillus strains, and some contained additional active ingredients. The probiotics hold promise for BV cure and prevention, but much less so for VVC cure and prevention. No major safety concerns were reported in any of the studies. Vaginal detection of probiotic strains never lasted long beyond the dosing period, suggesting that they did not colonise the vagina. However, findings are not definitive because heterogeneity was high and the quality of most studies suboptimal.
CONCLUSIONS
Availability of vaginal probiotics for vaginal health indications will likely decline in 2020 because of regulatory changes. We urge the field to invest in clinical evidence-based product development and to conduct future trials more rigorously.
TWEETABLE ABSTRACT
Lactobacilli-containing vaginal probiotics hold promise for bacterial vaginosis cure and prevention, but not for vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Topics: Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Dysbiosis; Female; Humans; Lactobacillus; Microbiota; Probiotics; Treatment Outcome; Vagina; Vaginosis, Bacterial
PubMed: 31299136
DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15870 -
Semergen 2020
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Postmenopause; Vulvovaginitis
PubMed: 32089402
DOI: 10.1016/j.semerg.2019.11.010 -
Pediatric Annals Jan 2024Genital ulcers may be located on the vagina, penis, and anorectal or perineal areas and may be infectious or noninfectious. Vaginal ulcers affect patients of all ages... (Review)
Review
Genital ulcers may be located on the vagina, penis, and anorectal or perineal areas and may be infectious or noninfectious. Vaginal ulcers affect patients of all ages and are commonly due to sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes simplex virus, the most common cause of genital ulcers in the United States. Non-sexually transmitted infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus, and other noninfectious causes, such as trauma, medications, and autoimmune disease, rarely can present with genital ulcers. Appropriate history, examination findings, and targeted testing must be used to correctly diagnose and treat vaginal ulcers. .
Topics: Female; Humans; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Ulcer; Vagina; Vulvovaginitis
PubMed: 38194657
DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20231113-03 -
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia E... 2024• The balanced vaginal microbiome is the main factor defending the vaginal environment against infections. Lactobacilli play a key role in this regard, maintaining the... (Review)
Review
• The balanced vaginal microbiome is the main factor defending the vaginal environment against infections. Lactobacilli play a key role in this regard, maintaining the vaginal pH within the normal range (3.8 to 4.5). •Hormonal and immune adaptations resulting from pregnancy influence changes in the vaginal microbiome during pregnancy. •An altered vaginal microbiome predisposes to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. •Bacterial vaginosis is the main clinical expression of an imbalanced vaginal microbiome. •Vulvovaginal candidiasis depends more on the host's conditions than on the etiological agent. • is a protozoan transmitted during sexual intercourse. •The use of probiotics is not approved for use in pregnant women.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Vulvovaginitis; Microbiota; Vagina; Vaginosis, Bacterial
PubMed: 38765512
DOI: 10.61622/rbgo/2024FPS03 -
Pharmaceutical Research Feb 2023Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an opportunistic and endogenous infection caused by a fungus of the Candida genus, which can cause pruritus, dysuria, vulvar edema,... (Review)
Review
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an opportunistic and endogenous infection caused by a fungus of the Candida genus, which can cause pruritus, dysuria, vulvar edema, fissures and maceration of the vulva. The treatment of vaginal candidiasis is carried out mainly by antifungal agents of azole and polyene classes; however, fungal resistance cases have been often observed. For this reason, new therapeutic agents such as essential oils, probiotics and antimicrobial peptides are being investigated, which can be combined with conventional drugs. Local administration of antimicrobials has also been considered to allow greater control of drug delivery and reduce or avoid undesirable systemic adverse effects. Conventional dosage forms such as creams and ointments result in reduced residence time in the mucosa and non-sustained and variable drug delivery. Therefore, advanced solid formulations such as intravaginal rings, vaginal films, sponges and nanofibers have been purposed. In these systems, polymers in different ratios are combined aiming to achieve a specific drug release profile and high mucoadhesion. Overall, a more porous matrix structure leads to a higher rate of drug release and mucoadhesion. The advantages, limitations and technological aspects of each dosage form are discussed in detail in this review.
Topics: Female; Humans; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Antifungal Agents; Candida; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug Compounding; Candida albicans
PubMed: 36451068
DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03441-5 -
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Sep 2022Despite the vaginal mucosa is able to respond to allergenic stimuli, vaginal allergic responses have been under investigated in clinical practice. Thus, we aimed to... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Despite the vaginal mucosa is able to respond to allergenic stimuli, vaginal allergic responses have been under investigated in clinical practice. Thus, we aimed to identify the most frequent etiological agents responsible for vulvovaginal allergies, the prevalent signs/symptoms, and the diagnostic tests applied in this clinical condition.
METHODS
Literature search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Scielo, Web of Science, and EMBASE. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020167238). Studies were divided in two groups depending on allergen exposure route. Due to a significant number of studies correlating allergy to Candida infection, subgroup analysis was included.
RESULTS
In direct exposure cases, Human Seminal Plasma was the most prevalent allergen, sensitizing 73% of affected women. These women presented localized swelling and burning as prevalent symptoms, affecting 42/68 and 36/68 women, respectively. Cutaneous Prick tests were applied in 58/68 women, either alone or combined with IgE measurements. Regarding cases of indirect/unidentified exposure, house dust mites was the most prevalent allergen (54%), followed by pollen (44%). Predominant symptoms were vulvar pruritus and burning, affecting 67/98 and 52/98 women. Skin prick test was the most prevalent diagnostic method used among different studies. Hypersensitivity toward Candida antigen was present in only half (163/323) of women presenting concomitant allergy and Candida infection.
CONCLUSION
From the two types of allergen exposure that can cause vulvovaginal allergic responses, direct contact of the antigen with the vulva and/or vagina was the most prevalent. Still, allergens can also sensitize the vaginal mucosa secondarily to other exposure route, specifically aeroallergens.
Topics: Allergens; Candidiasis; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Skin Tests; Vulvovaginitis
PubMed: 34825938
DOI: 10.1007/s00404-021-06332-z -
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces Feb 2019Candida species, including C. albicans, are part of the mucosal flora of most healthy women, and inhabit the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Under favourable... (Review)
Review
Candida species, including C. albicans, are part of the mucosal flora of most healthy women, and inhabit the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Under favourable conditions, they can colonize the vulvovaginal mucosa, giving rise to symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). The mechanism by which Candida spp. produces inflammation is unknown. Both, the blastoconidia and the pseudohyphae are capable of destroying the vaginal epithelium by direct invasion. Although the symptoms are not always related to the fungal burden, in general, VVC is associated with a greater number of yeasts and pseudohyphae. Some years ago, C. albicans was the species most frequently involved in the different forms of VVC. However, infections by different species have emerged during the last two decades producing an increase in causative species of VVC such as C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei and C. tropicalis. Candida species are pathogenic organisms that have two forms of development: planktonic and biofilm. A biofilm is defined as a community of microorganisms attached to a surface and encompassed by an extracellular matrix. This form of presentation gives microorganisms greater resistance to antifungal agents. This review, about Candia spp. with a special emphasis on Candida albicans discusses specific areas such as biofilm structure and development, cell morphology and biofilm formation, biofilm-associated gene expression, the cell surface and adherence, the extracellular matrix, biofilm metabolism, and biofilm drug resistance in vulvovaginitis biofilms as an important virulence factor in fungi.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Biofilms; Candida; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Female; Humans
PubMed: 30447520
DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.11.011 -
PloS One 2023Cytolytic vaginosis (CV) is a little-known, controversial condition that is typically not considered for women presenting with vulvovaginitis symptoms. Objective: The... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Cytolytic vaginosis (CV) is a little-known, controversial condition that is typically not considered for women presenting with vulvovaginitis symptoms. Objective: The objective of this scoping review was to identify and compile the global evidence on CV.
METHODS
A medical librarian searched Prospero, Wiley Cochrane Library, Ovid Embase, Ovid Medline, EBSCO CINAHL, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, and Scopus, from inception to April 4, 2019 and updated to October 17, 2021. Studies were eligible if they discussed CV. Two independent reviewers conducted study selection and data extraction.
RESULTS
Sixty-four studies were identified, with 67% of studies (n = 43) published since 2007. Studies were from around the world, including the United States (28%, n = 18), Brazil (11%, n = 7), Portugal (11%, n = 7), and China (11%, n = 7). Fifty percent of studies (n = 32) were reviews; the remainder were observational; and of these, 78% (n = 25) were cross-sectional. The most frequent topics included: diagnosis (19%, n = 12), prevalence (17%, n = 11), and overview of CV (50%, n = 32). Evidence for prevalence in symptomatic women (median prevalence of 5%, interquartile range 3%-8%) was based only on 16% of studies (n = 10) with minimal evidence on prevalence in asymptomatic women and across different geographic regions. Microbiological findings, including abundant lactobacilli and fragmented epithelial cells, were found useful to distinguish between CV and vulvovaginal candidiasis, and Lactobacillus crispatus was noted to dominate the vaginal flora in women with CV. Most studies used subjective criteria to diagnose CV as the condition lacks gold-standard microscopic criteria. The suggested primary treatment (baking soda irrigations) was largely based on expert opinion, and there was minimal evidence on associations between CV and other conditions.
CONCLUSION
Knowledge gaps currently exist in all realms of CV research. Additional research is needed to confirm the validity of CV and ensure that women are diagnosed and treated effectively.
Topics: Female; Humans; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Vagina; Cell Death; Lactobacillus; Lactobacillus crispatus
PubMed: 36701339
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280954 -
The Nurse Practitioner Sep 2023Vaginitis symptoms are among the most common reasons for patients to seek acute gynecological care. NPs who care for women and other patients with vaginas need to be... (Review)
Review
Vaginitis symptoms are among the most common reasons for patients to seek acute gynecological care. NPs who care for women and other patients with vaginas need to be up-to-date on diagnosis and treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and recurrent VVC (RVVC). Two new antifungal medications for VVC are available. This article reviews vaginal physiology and provides an overview of VVC and RVVC pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Topics: Humans; Female; Fluconazole; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Vagina; Critical Care
PubMed: 37643144
DOI: 10.1097/01.NPR.0000000000000095 -
Canadian Family Physician Medecin de... Jun 2017
Review
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Female; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recurrence; Secondary Prevention
PubMed: 28615397
DOI: No ID Found