A Newly Developed Medical Device Designed to Treat Bacterial Vaginosis Shows Promise

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), is characterized by inflammation of the vaginal area arising from the increased growth of bacteria present in the vagina – the cause remaining unknown. BV most commonly occurs in women who have reached reproductive age. The fact that the cause of this condition remains a mystery, makes it quite difficult for an effective treatment procedure to be developed. And its ability to reoccur in women who have been treated before confirms the existing treatment options as“ineffective“.

Bacterial Vaginosis Bacteria. Credit: Dr. Graham Beards

Usually, there is a presence of ‘good’ bacteria – lactobacilli – in the vagina which helps to keep the vagina healthy by producing some vital compounds like lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, which prevent the growth of yeast and other harmful substances. The occurrence of BV causes a drop in the growth of lactobacilli, and an increase in the growth of ‘bad’ bacteria – anaerobes – in the vagina. This growth of anaerobes causes an imbalance in the pH level of the vagina, making the vagina vulnerable to various infections and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

Scientists have not stopped researching to discover better and more effective medications to fight the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis. A recent multicenter, non-comparative study carried out by a team of scientists in Italy and Romania aimed to test a new device developed to reduce the recurrence of BV in women.

Polybactum vs bacterial vaginosis

The team tested the device – Polybactum ovules – on about 41 women affected by recurrent bacterial vaginosis. The device contains polycarbophil, lauryl glucoside, and glycerides. They administered vaginal metronidazole to each woman about six to nine days before the use of the device. At the end of the ninth day, they administered the device intravaginally in three cycles for three months, one cycle per month. A cycle lasts for one week, and the device is administered to the women at three-day intervals: one ovule on day 1, one ovule on day 4, and one ovule on day 7.

After the three cycles, they observed that the recurrence rate was greatly reduced by 40% when compared to the results from previously published data which reads a 10.26% drop in recurrence rate. 2 women did not go through with the trials, leaving a total of 39 women for the trial. At the end of the trial, in 35 women without recurrence, it was observed that there was a significant increase in the growth of lactobacilli. The trial was successfully tolerable by 38 out of all 39 women, therefore, it is considered a success.

Clinical significance

Bacterial vaginosis has remained a common threat to women of reproductive age, especially due to its recurrence. With the help of a vaginal device like this, doctors would be able to treat and control the recurrence of this condition much more effectively

Conclusion

In conclusion, the team notes that the combination of one course of metronidazole medication with the three cycles of Polybactum ovules works well to reduce the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis and promote the growth of healthy lactobacilli.