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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Nov 2017Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is estimated to be the second most common form of infection after bacterial vaginosis. The ability of probiotics in maintaining and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is estimated to be the second most common form of infection after bacterial vaginosis. The ability of probiotics in maintaining and recovering the normal vaginal microbiota, and their potential ability to resist Candidas give rise to the concept of using probiotics for the treatment of VVC.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness and safety of probiotics for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis in non-pregnant women.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the following databases to October 2017: Sexually Transmitted Infections Cochrane Review Group's Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and eight other databases. We searched in following international resources: World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, ClinicalTrials.gov, Web of Science and OpenGrey. We checked specialty journals, reference lists of published articles and conference proceedings. We collected information from pharmaceutical companies and experts in the field.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomized controlled trials (RCT) using probiotics, alone or as adjuvants to conventional antifungal drugs, to treat VVC in non-pregnant women. Trials recruiting women with recurrent VVC, coinfection with other vulvovaginal infections, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppressive disorders or taking immunosuppressant medication were ineligible for inclusion. Probiotics were included if they were made from single or multiple species and in any preparation type/dosage/route of administration.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed trials for eligibility and quality and extracted data. We resolved any disagreements through consensus. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.
MAIN RESULTS
Ten RCTs (1656 participants) met our inclusion criteria, and pharmaceutical industry funded none of these trials. All trials used probiotics as adjuvant therapy to antifungal drugs. Probiotics increased the rate of short-term clinical cure (risk ratio (RR) 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05 to 1.24, 695 participants, 5 studies, low quality evidence) and mycological cure (RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.10, 969 participants, 7 studies, low quality evidence) and decreased relapse rate at one month (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.68, 388 participants, 3 studies, very low quality evidence). However, this effect did not translate into a higher frequency of long-term clinical cure (one month after treatment: RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.33, 172 participants, 1 study, very low quality evidence; three months after treatment: RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.70, 172 participants, one study, very low quality evidence) or mycological cure (one month after treatment: RR 1.26, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.71, 627 participants, 3 studies, very low quality evidence; three months after treatment: RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.35, 172 participants, one study, very low quality evidence). Probiotics use did not increase the frequency of serious (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.22 to 2.94; 440 participants, 2 studies, low quality evidence). We found no eligible RCTs for outcomes as time to first relapse, need for additional treatment at the end of therapy, patient satisfaction and cost effectiveness.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Low and very low quality evidence shows that, compared with conventional treatment, the use of probiotics as an adjuvant therapy could increases the rate of short-term clinical and mycological cure and decrease the relapse rate at one month but this did not translate into a higher frequency of long-term clinical or mycological cure. Probiotics use does not seem to increase the frequency of serious or non-serious adverse events. There is a need for well-designed RCTs with standardized methodologies, longer follow-up and larger sample size.
Topics: Administration, Intravaginal; Antifungal Agents; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Clotrimazole; Female; Fluconazole; Humans; Imidazoles; Miconazole; Probiotics; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recurrence; Secondary Prevention
PubMed: 29168557
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010496.pub2 -
Frontiers in Surgery 2021To describe the available knowledge on vulvo-perineal endometriosis including its diagnosis, clinical management and recurrence rate. We followed the PRISMA guidelines...
To describe the available knowledge on vulvo-perineal endometriosis including its diagnosis, clinical management and recurrence rate. We followed the PRISMA guidelines for Systematic Reviews and our study was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020202441). The terms " and " or " were used as keywords. Cochrane Library, Medline/Pubmed, Embase and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched. Papers in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or Italian from inception to July 30, 2020 were considered. Reference lists of included articles and other literature source such as Google Scholar were also manually scrutinized in order to identify other relevant studies. Two independent reviewers screened potentially eligible studies according to inclusion criteria. Out of 539 reports, 90 studies were eligible including a total of 283 patients. Their mean age was 32.7 ± 7.6 years. Two hundred sixty-three (95.3%) presenting with vulvo-perineal endometriosis have undergone either episiotomy, perineal trauma or vaginal injury or surgery. Only 13 patients (4.7%) developed vulvo-vaginal endometriosis spontaneously i.e., without any apparent condition favoring it. The reasons that motivated the patients to take medical advice were vulvo-perineal cyclical pain increasing during menstruations (98.2% of the patients, = 278). Out of the 281 patients for whom a clinical examination was described, 274 patients (97.5%) showed a vulvo-perineal nodule, mass or swelling while six presented with bluish cutaneous lesions (2.1%) and 1 with bilateral polyps of the labia minora (0.4%). All but one patients underwent surgical excision of their lesions but only 88 patients (28.1%) received additional hormonal therapy. The recurrence rate was 10.2% (29 patients) considering a median follow-up period of 10 months (based on 61 studies). In conclusion, vulvo-perineal endometriosis is a rare entity with approximately 300 cases reported in the literature since 1923. With the available knowledge shown in this systematic review, we encourage all practitioners to think about perineal endometriosis in case of perineal cyclical pain with or without previous perineal damage. Diagnosis should be done with clinical exam, perineal ultrasound and pelvic MRI when available. In case of anal sphincter involvement, perianal ultrasound should be performed. Surgical excision of the lesion should be realized in order to remove the lesion and to confirm the diagnosis histologically. Hormonal treatment could be proposed to attempt to decrease the size of a large lesion before surgery or to avoid recurrence of the lesion. As evidence-based approach to the diagnosis, treatment and recurrence rate of affected patients remains a challenge given its low prevalence, the variations in management found in the articles included and the limited quality of available studies, we suggest that a prospective database on vulvo-perineal endometriosis should be generated to increase knowledge but also awareness among healthcare professionals and optimize patients' care. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42020202441.
PubMed: 34046423
DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2021.637180 -
BioMed Research International 2014Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) plays a key role in the human innate immune response. It has been shown that polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene, particularly at codon 54... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) plays a key role in the human innate immune response. It has been shown that polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene, particularly at codon 54 (variant allele B; wild-type allele designated as A), impact upon host susceptibility to Candida infection. This systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to assess the association between MBL2 codon 54 genotype and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) or recurrent VVC (RVVC). Studies were searched in MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and ISI Web of Science until April 2013. Five studies including 704 women (386 cases and 318 controls) were part of the meta-analysis, and pooled ORs were calculated using the random effects model. For subjects with RVVC, ORs of AB versus AA and of BB versus AA were 4.84 (95% CI 2.10-11.15; P for heterogeneity = 0.013; I(2) = 68.6%) and 12.68 (95% CI 3.74-42.92; P for heterogeneity = 0.932, I(2) = 0.0%), respectively. For subjects with VVC, OR of AB versus AA was 2.57 (95% CI 1.29-5.12; P for heterogeneity = 0.897; I (2) = 0.0%). This analysis indicates that heterozygosity for the MBL2 allele B increases significantly the risk for both diseases, suggesting that MBL may influence the women's innate immunity in response to Candida.
Topics: Adult; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Case-Control Studies; Codon; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Mannose-Binding Lectin; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
PubMed: 25143944
DOI: 10.1155/2014/738298 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023Genital graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an underdiagnosed manifestation of chronic GVHD. Few articles have been... (Review)
Review
Genital graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an underdiagnosed manifestation of chronic GVHD. Few articles have been published in pediatric populations, and there are no established guidelines for the management of this condition in children. This study aims to provide a systematic literature review of the published studies and cases of genital (vulvovaginal) GVHD in girls and adolescents post HSCT, with a focus on the time of diagnosis and clinical manifestations. The authors searched for English-language articles published after 1990, which included full patient details. Thirty-two cases of female patients under 20 years of age were identified. The median time of diagnosis was 381 days (IQR: 226-730 days), and 83% of patients developed Grade 3 vulvovaginal GVHD. Based on these observations, an early pediatric gynecologic examination of these patients, soon within the first year after HSCT, could be suggested for early diagnosis, treatment initiation and prevention of long-term complications.
PubMed: 37761424
DOI: 10.3390/children10091463 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2015Genital tract infection is associated with preterm birth (before 37 weeks' gestation). Screening for infections during pregnancy may therefore reduce the numbers of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Genital tract infection is associated with preterm birth (before 37 weeks' gestation). Screening for infections during pregnancy may therefore reduce the numbers of babies being born prematurely. However, screening for infections may have some adverse effects, such as increased antibiotic drug resistance and increased cost of treatment.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness of antenatal lower genital tract infection screening and treatment programs for reducing preterm birth and subsequent morbidity.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 November 2014), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2014, Issue 7) and reference lists of retrieved reports.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included all published and unpublished randomised controlled trials in any language that evaluated any described methods of antenatal lower genital tract infection screening compared with no screening.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked for accuracy.
MAIN RESULTS
One study (4155 women at less than 20 weeks' gestation) met the inclusion criteria. The intervention group (2058 women) received infection screening and treatment for bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas vaginalis and candidiasis; the control group (2097 women) also received screening, but the results of the screening program were not revealed and women received routine antenatal care. The rate of preterm birth before 37 weeks' gestation was significantly lower in the intervention group (3% versus 5% in the control group) with a risk ratio (RR) of 0.55 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41 to 0.75; the evidence for this outcome was graded as of moderate quality). The incidence of preterm birth for infants with a weight equal to or below 2500 g (low birthweight) and infants with a weight equal to or below 1500 g (very low birthweight) were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.66 and RR 0.34; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.75, respectively; both graded as moderate quality evidence). Based on a subset of costs for preterm births of < 1900 g, the authors reported that for each of those preterm births averted, EUR 60,262 would be saved.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence from one trial that infection screening and treatment programs for pregnant women before 20 weeks' gestation reduce preterm birth and preterm low birthweight. Infection screening and treatment programs are associated with cost savings when used for the prevention of preterm birth. Future trials should evaluate the effects of different types of infection screening programs.
Topics: Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; Trichomonas Vaginitis; Vaginosis, Bacterial
PubMed: 25922860
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006178.pub3 -
Systematic Reviews Mar 2015Recognition that ascending infection leads to preterm birth has led to a number of studies that have evaluated the treatment of vaginal infections in pregnancy to reduce... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Recognition that ascending infection leads to preterm birth has led to a number of studies that have evaluated the treatment of vaginal infections in pregnancy to reduce preterm birth rates. However, the role of candidiasis is relatively unexplored. Our aim was to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether treatment of pregnant women with vulvovaginal candidiasis reduces preterm birth rates and other adverse birth outcomes.
METHODS
We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which pregnant women were treated for vulvovaginal candidiasis (compared to placebo or no treatment) and where preterm birth was reported as an outcome. Trials were identified by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline and Embase databases to January 2014. Trial eligibility and outcomes were pre-specified. Two reviewers independently assessed the studies against the agreed criteria and extracted relevant data using a standard data extraction form. Meta-analysis was used to calculate pooled rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a fixed-effects model.
RESULTS
There were two eligible RCTs both among women with asymptomatic candidiasis, with a total of 685 women randomised. Both trials compared treatment with usual care (no screening for, or treatment of, asymptomatic candidiasis). Data from one trial involved a post-hoc subgroup analysis (n = 586) of a larger trial of treatment of 4,429 women with asymptomatic infections in pregnancy and the other was a pilot study (n = 99). There was a significant reduction in spontaneous preterm births in treated compared with untreated women (meta-analysis RR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.17 to 0.75). Other outcomes were reported by one or neither trial.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review found two trials comparing the treatment of asymptomatic vaginal candidiasis in pregnancy for the outcome of preterm birth. Although the effect estimate suggests that treatment of asymptomatic candidiasis may reduce the risk of preterm birth, the result needs to be interpreted with caution as the primary driver for the pooled estimate comes from a post-hoc (unplanned) subgroup analysis. A prospective trial with sufficient power to answer the clinical question 'does treatment of asymptomatic candidiasis in early pregnancy prevent preterm birth' is warranted.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42014009241.
Topics: Adult; Candida; Candidiasis; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Outcome; Premature Birth; Vagina
PubMed: 25874659
DOI: 10.1186/s13643-015-0018-2 -
Revista Da Associacao Medica Brasileira... Feb 2022
Meta-Analysis
Topics: Administration, Oral; Antifungal Agents; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Female; Humans; Recurrence; Vagina
PubMed: 35239893
DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20210916 -
Patient Education and Counseling Jan 2024This systematic review aims to identify what is known about patient and healthcare professional experiences of managing recurrent vulvovaginal thrush by synthesising... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review aims to identify what is known about patient and healthcare professional experiences of managing recurrent vulvovaginal thrush by synthesising published findings.
METHODS
Five databases were searched for studies on patient and healthcare professional experiences managing recurrent thrush. Two reviewers independently screened and quality assessed qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies. Findings from eligible studies were thematically synthesised.
RESULTS
720 papers were identified, and 29 were included. Four descriptive themes were developed to depict the repeated management of recurrent thrush. These themes were: (re)experiencing impacts, (re)identifying recurrent thrush, (re)considering consultations, and (re)trying treatments. An analytic high-order frame of 'interwoven and reoccurring uncertainties' was used to understand these themes.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients and healthcare providers face uncertainties when managing recurrent thrush. The inconsistencies raised across papers suggests an unaddressed gap in knowledge about patient experiences and their informational and support needs; this includes insights about this condition's diagnosis, management, treatment, impacts, and meaning.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
This review has implications for patient education, health promotion, and communication between patients and providers. Our interpretations suggest the need for more research and resources to help support patients and clinicians in managing this condition to promote more understanding, communication, and collaborative care.
Topics: Humans; Health Personnel; Communication; Delivery of Health Care; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 37826917
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.108004 -
Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences Sep 2023Vulvovaginal candidiasis is one of the most common vaginal infections worldwide. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Vulvovaginal candidiasis is one of the most common vaginal infections worldwide. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of probiotics in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.
METHODS
A comprehensive search of databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Scientific Information Database (SID), IranMedex, and Google Scholar search engine was performed. The search was conducted from inception to 1 October 2022, to identify published English or Persian language randomized control trials (RCTs) of women with vulvovaginal candidiasis who received probiotics as medical treatment. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Oxford Center for Evidence Based Medicine checklist All statistical analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-analysis (CMA) version 2.
RESULTS
Six RCTs were included in this review. The results showed that treatment with probiotic was not different from placebo regarding the rate of positive culture (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.390 to 3.26, P=0.825); treatment with probiotic was more effective compared to placebo regarding the rate of recurrence. (OR: 0.14; P= 0.01; 95 % CI: 0.028-0.7).
CONCLUSION
Probiotics have a beneficial effect in the treatment of women with vulvovaginal candidiasis. Our results provide evidence for an alternative treatment modality for vaginal candidiasis using probiotics.
Topics: Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Probiotics; Humans; Female; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38784519
DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v33i5.18 -
Journal of Infection in Developing... Oct 2018The number of fungal infections occurring each year in Iran is not known. As the burden of fungal disease is a measure used to assess and compare the relative impact of...
INTRODUCTION
The number of fungal infections occurring each year in Iran is not known. As the burden of fungal disease is a measure used to assess and compare the relative impact of different type of fungal diseases on populations, we have estimated the burden of fungal diseases in Iran.
METHODOLOGY
We estimated the burden of human fungal diseases based on the specific populations at risk, existing epidemiological data in both local and international databases, and modelling previously described by the LIFE program (http://www.LIFE-worldwide.org).
RESULTS
Among the population of Iran (79,926,270 in 2016), 6,670,813 (8.3%) individuals are estimated to suffer from a fungal infection each year. A total of 2,791,568 women aged between 15 and 50 years are estimated to suffer from recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, annually. In addition, considering the 13.3% prevalence rate of tinea capitis in children, a total of 2,552,624 cases per year are estimated. The estimated burden of invasive aspergillosis in the 3 groups of patients with hematologic malignancy, lung cancer and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease was 6394 (8.0 per 100,000). The estimate for the burden of allergic disease related to fungi including allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, severe asthma with fungal sensitization and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis was 272,095 (340 per 100,000). Based on the 28,663 cases of HIV infection reported, an estimated 900 and 113 cases with pneumocystosis and cryptococcal meningitis are annually anticipated, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Our estimates indicate that the importance of fungal infections is high but overlooked in Iran, which warrants further actions by health care authorities.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; Cost of Illness; Female; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Iran; Male; Middle Aged; Mycoses; Prevalence; Young Adult
PubMed: 32004161
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.10476