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Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024To determine the optimum biofilm formation ratio of () in a mixed culture with ().
OBJECTIVE
To determine the optimum biofilm formation ratio of () in a mixed culture with ().
METHODS
ATCC14018, ATCC25922, as well as five strains of were selected from the vaginal sources of patients whose biofilm forming capacity was determined by the Crystal Violet method. The biofilm forming capacity of in anaerobic and non-anaerobic environments were compared using the identical assay. The Crystal Violet method was also used to determine the biofilm forming capacity of a co-culture of and in different ratios. After Live/Dead staining, biofilm thickness was measured using confocal laser scanning microscopy, and biofilm morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy.
RESULTS
The biofilm forming capacity of under anaerobic environment was similar to that in a 5% CO environment. The biofilm forming capacity of and was stronger at 10:10 CFU/mL than at other ratios (<0.05). Their thicknesses were greater at 10:10 CFU/mL than at the other ratios, with the exception of 10:10 CFU/mL (<0.05), under laser scanning microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy revealed increased biofilm formation at 10:10 CFU/mL and 10:10 CFU/mL, but no discernible was observed at 10:10 CFU/mL.
CONCLUSION
and showed the greatest biofilm forming capacity at a concentration of 10:10 CFU/mL at 48 hours and could be used to simulate a mixed infection of bacterial vaginosis and aerobic vaginitis .
Topics: Biofilms; Gardnerella vaginalis; Humans; Escherichia coli; Female; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microscopy, Confocal; Vagina; Anaerobiosis; Coculture Techniques; Vaginitis
PubMed: 38751998
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1387414 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024: Twin pregnancy implies a higher risk of preterm birth and, consequently, higher neonatal morbidity and mortality. In singleton pregnancies, infections of the lower...
: Twin pregnancy implies a higher risk of preterm birth and, consequently, higher neonatal morbidity and mortality. In singleton pregnancies, infections of the lower genital tract (LGTIs) and bacterial vaginosis are associated with preterm labor, and their early detection has been proven effective in reducing complications like the preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) and preterm delivery. The same evidence, however, is lacking for twin pregnancies. This study aimed to evaluate whether the early identification and treatment of LGTIs or bacterial vaginosis in asymptomatic women with twin pregnancy could reduce the rate of miscarriages, pPROM, and preterm birth. : This study performed a retrospective comparison of 285 women with a multiple pregnancy submitted for a cervico-vaginal swab only at 20-22 weeks (Single Test Group, STG), and 199 women who underwent the swab at 12-14 and again at 20-22 weeks (Double Test Group, DTG). All women included in the study had a twin pregnancy and were followed up at Sant'Anna Hospital, Turin (Italy), between September 2012 and February 2021. : In STG, 21.7% of patients had a positive swab; in DTG, 19.9% had an early positive swab that was immediately treated by targeted antibiotics; and 16.7% had a mid-pregnancy positive swab. The DTG showed a significantly lower incidence of pPROM in univariate analysis (14.4% vs. 23.1%, = 0.021), which was confirmed by multivariate analysis (OR 0.55, CI 0.33-0.93, = 0.025). : Our study suggests that, in asymptomatic women with twin pregnancy, the early screening of LGTIs and bacterial vaginosis by a cervico-vaginal swab at 12-14 weeks of gestational age is effective in reducing the risk of pPROM.
PubMed: 38731202
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092673 -
BMC Infectious Diseases May 2024Tubal factor infertility (TFI) is common in sub-Saharan Africa and often secondary to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Anaerobes associated with bacterial vaginosis...
BACKGROUND
Tubal factor infertility (TFI) is common in sub-Saharan Africa and often secondary to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Anaerobes associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) are also found in PIDs widely dominated by Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis), whose role in TFI is better demonstrated than that of BV.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the prevalence of BV and C. trachomatis and to investigate the association between BV, C. trachomatis and TFI.
METHODS
We included 137 patients treated for infertility between January 2020 and November 2021. Cases were defined as women with infertility aged 18-45 years presenting with TFI (n = 52), and controls as infertile women in the same age groups without TFI (n = 85). Data on social habits, life style and infertility parameters were collected, and we performed screening for BV and C. trachomatis. Multiple regression was used to measure associations.
RESULTS
The prevalence of BV and C. trachomatis was 42.3% (58/137) and 23.4% (32/137), respectively. BV (61.5% vs 30.6%, p<0.001) and C. trachomatis (48.1 vs 8.2%, p<0.001) were more frequent in cases of TFI. BV and C. trachomatis increased the risk of TFI approximately 4-fold [aOR: 3.77 (1.61-8.83), p=0.002] and 14-fold [aOR: 13.77 (4.59-41.27), p<0.001], respectively.
CONCLUSION
BV and C. trachomatis infection are strongly associated with TFI in Bukavu. Prevention and screening should be implemented to reduce the risk of TFI.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Chlamydia trachomatis; Chlamydia Infections; Prevalence; Young Adult; Adolescent; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Middle Aged; Infertility, Female
PubMed: 38730346
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09379-w -
The Journal of International Medical... May 2024Recurrent bacterial vaginosis (RBV) after antibiotic treatment has relapse rates of 35% within 3 months and 60% within 12 months. A medical device containing... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVE
Recurrent bacterial vaginosis (RBV) after antibiotic treatment has relapse rates of 35% within 3 months and 60% within 12 months. A medical device containing polycarbophil, lauryl glucoside, and glycerides (PLGG) inhibits bacterial growth and has mucoadhesive properties. This study examined the efficacy of the device in women with RBV.
METHODS
This post-market clinical follow-up study comprised two phases. The first phase was an interventional, open-label, non-controlled, multicenter study enrolling 56 women. The second phase was an observational 10-month follow-up without treatment.
RESULTS
After three cycles of PLGG treatment, recurrence was identified in 8 of 54 evaluable patients (14.81%). A positive effect on lactobacilli in the vaginal secretions was observed in 26 of 39 patients (66.67%). Among 35 patients observed after stopping PLGG treatment, one case of RBV (2.86%) was observed after 4 months, and an additional six cases (17.14%) were observed after 10 ± 2 months. Therefore, no recurrence was evidenced in 12 subjects (34.28%) at the end of the study.
CONCLUSION
The use of PLGG vaginal ovules in the treatment of BV reduces the rate of recurrence and apparently produces a positive effect on the vaginal microbiota.
Topics: Humans; Female; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Adult; Follow-Up Studies; Recurrence; Vagina; Middle Aged; Treatment Outcome; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Lactobacillus; Administration, Intravaginal; Young Adult
PubMed: 38726878
DOI: 10.1177/03000605241239021 -
Journal of Family & Reproductive Health Sep 2023Multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) are developmental dual-purpose options that would provide women with a contraceptive as well as a prevention modality aimed...
OBJECTIVE
Multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) are developmental dual-purpose options that would provide women with a contraceptive as well as a prevention modality aimed at sexually transmitted infections. The contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) has many properties that makes it an ideal MPT candidate. The objective of this study is to understand women's attitudes towards menstrual suppression, a potential side effect of using a CVR, and how to address these attitudes for MPT vaginal rings in development.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We analyzed data derived from a subset of cohort study participants (n=45) in Thika, Kenya between January 2016- December 2018. The primary study enrolled 121 women 18-40 years with bacterial vaginosis and randomized them to cyclic or continuous CVR use for eight months. During the 6-month follow-up, a questionnaire eliciting attitudes towards menstrual suppression was administered. Responses to the menstrual suppression questionnaire between participants in the cyclic and continuous CVR use groups were compared. Likert-scale responses were summed to create a menstrual suppression attitude summary score, and a hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to identify similarities in response patterns among all participants.
RESULTS
Totally 81.8% of continuous CVR users believed that one was less likely to get pregnant after using hormonal medication to suppress menses, compared to 47.8% of cyclic CVR users (P=0.02), and were more worried it would cause long-term health effects (86.4% vs 60.9%, p = 0.05). The menstrual suppression attitude summary score ranged from 8 to 42, with lower scores indicating negative attitudes. The summary score identified three distinct clusters. When asked if menstrual suppression effects long-term health; 100% of Cluster 3 was worried compared to 80.8% of Cluster 2 and 46.2% of Cluster 1 (p = 0.03). The average summary score among Cluster 3 (Mean = 14.8, SD = 4.6) was lower (p < 0.001) and women were more worried about discomfort during sex (p=0.05) as well as their sexual partners feeling the ring (p=0.02).
CONCLUSION
Women are more likely to have negative attitudes if they believe menstrual suppression hinders future reproductive health. Education on cycle control and fertility could mitigate negative attitudes and improve uptake of CVRs.
PubMed: 38716295
DOI: 10.18502/jfrh.v17i3.13534 -
Health Science Reports May 2024Water scarcity and poor water quality could lead to suboptimum menstrual hygiene practices, and subsequently urinary tract infection (UTI) and bacterial vaginosis (BV)....
Self-reported urinary tract infection and bacterial vaginosis symptoms among indigenous adolescents during seasonal periods of water scarcity: A cross-sectional study in Bandarban Hill District of Bangladesh.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Water scarcity and poor water quality could lead to suboptimum menstrual hygiene practices, and subsequently urinary tract infection (UTI) and bacterial vaginosis (BV). In this study, we estimate the prevalence of self-reported UTI and BV among indigenous adolescent girls during the water scarcity period in the Bandarban Hill Districts in south-eastern Bangladesh.
METHODS
Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 242 indigenous adolescent girls were selected and interviewed during the seasonal water scarcity period (from February to May 2022) in Bandarban. The difference in prevalence of any self-reported UTI or BV symptoms by respondents' characteristics was assessed by test. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to observe the associated factors.
RESULTS
The prevalence of self-reported UTI, BV, and any symptoms of UTI or BV among the respondents were 35.54%, 28.93%, and 43.80%, respectively. Ethnicity, studentship status, source of water used for menstrual hygiene, and perceived water quality were significantly associated with the prevalence of any self-reported UTI or BV symptoms.
CONCLUSION
Findings recommend further research to cross-check the validity of self-reported prevalence and investigate if the episodes of UTI or BV could be attributable to water scarcity and poor water quality in study areas during dry period.
PubMed: 38715721
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.2107 -
Cureus Apr 2024Background The most common preventive cause of premature labour is ascending infections. This study was conducted to evaluate the association between bacterial...
Background The most common preventive cause of premature labour is ascending infections. This study was conducted to evaluate the association between bacterial vaginosis (BV) and preterm labour in antenatal women and determine the significance of using the Amsel criteria to screen for BV. Methods This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted among 100 antenatal mothers in the second trimester attending the antenatal OPD at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai from October 2019 to September 2021 after obtaining clearance from the institutional ethics committee and written informed consent from the study participants. Data were entered in Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA) and analysed in SPSS (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results According to the Amsel criteria, BV was detected in 21 women (21%). Neither maternal age nor parity had an effect on the study group. There was a statistically significant relationship (p < 0.05) between the mode of delivery, preterm labour, and the study group. Of the 21 positive BV cases, 95% were positive for clue cells and only 5% were positive for gram-negative bacteria. Consequently, BV was found to be associated with early labour. There is no association between BMI and BV (p > 0.005). Conclusion In the current study, BV was shown to be associated with preterm labour. Our study underscores the significance of the Amsel criteria as a valuable tool for screening BV in antenatal women.
PubMed: 38707164
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57502 -
JAMA Network Open May 2024
Topics: Humans; Female; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Adult
PubMed: 38696175
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.8606 -
JAMA Network Open May 2024Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of vaginal infection. First-line treatments of BV are metronidazole and clindamycin. Due to the increase in antibiotic... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
IMPORTANCE
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of vaginal infection. First-line treatments of BV are metronidazole and clindamycin. Due to the increase in antibiotic resistance, effective nonantibiotic treatments for BV are needed.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether dequalinium chloride, a broad-spectrum antiseptic, is noninferior to oral metronidazole for the treatment of BV.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This phase 4, multicenter, triple-blind, double-dummy, parallel, noninferiority randomized clinical trial was conducted from July 29, 2021, to August 25, 2022, with a 1-month follow-up. Participants were premenopausal women 18 years or older with BV from 11 gynecologic practices and 1 hospital in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech.
INTERVENTION
Patients were randomized to treatment with dequalinium chloride vaginal tablets (10 mg once daily for 6 days) or oral metronidazole (500 mg twice daily for 7 days). Double-dummy medication kits contained vaginal and oral tablets with placebo and active medication.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The main outcome was the noninferiority margin (of 15 percentage points) in the absolute difference in clinical cure rates between dequalinium chloride and metronidazole 7 to 11 days after start of treatment (visit 1). Noninferiority was met if the lower 95% CI for the difference in clinical cure rate was less than 15 percentage points at visit 1.
RESULTS
A total of 147 women (mean [SD] age, 36.7 [9.0] years) were treated with dequalinium chloride (n = 72) or metronidazole (n = 75). The clinical cure rates at visit 1 were 64 of 69 (92.8%) for dequalinium chloride vs 69 of 74 (93.2%) for metronidazole in the intention-to-treat population, whereas in the per-protocol population, cure rates were 54 of 58 (93.1%) for dequalinium chloride vs 48 of 53 (90.6%) for metronidazole. The treatment differences of -0.5 percentage points (95% CI, -10.8 to 9.8 percentage points; P = .002) in the intention-to-treat population and 2.5 percentage points (95% CI, -9.4 to 14.4 percentage points; P = .001) in the per-protocol population confirmed the noninferiority of dequalinium chloride. The tolerability of dequalinium chloride was rated as very good by 30 of 50 patients (60.0%) but only by 21 of 54 (38.9%) for metronidazole. Three patients in the metronidazole group suspended treatment due to an adverse event.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This randomized clinical trial showed that dequalinium chloride was not inferior to metronidazole for the treatment of BV. Dequalinium chloride had a similarly high cure rate but with better tolerability and fewer adverse events. With a similar efficacy to metronidazole and clindamycin, dequalinium chloride warrants consideration as first-line treatment for BV to help reduce antibiotic consumption.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
EudraCT: 2020-002489-15.
Topics: Humans; Female; Metronidazole; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Adult; Dequalinium; Treatment Outcome; Double-Blind Method; Middle Aged; Administration, Intravaginal; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Administration, Oral; Young Adult
PubMed: 38696172
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.8661