Role of Oral Lactobacilli on Vaginal Flora of Pregnant Women

Overview

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) occurs in about 20% of pregnancies and responsible for up to 25% of visits to gynecological clinics. BV is characterized by a shift in vaginal bacterial flora from lactobacilli to pathogenic bacterial flora like Gardnerella and Mycoplasma. Risk factors for the development of BV include douching, use of intrauterine contraceptive devices, new or multiple sexual partners, smoking and African American background.

Diagnosis of BV based on Amsel's criteria and Nugent's scoring. In Amsel's criteria include: presence of thin vaginal discharge, clue cells, vaginal fluid pH \>4.5 and positive whiff test. The Nugent score is derived from gram-stained vaginal smear; yielding a score between 0 - 10. A score of, 4 is normal, 4 - 6 is intermediate and a score \>7 represents BV. CDC recommends diagnosis of BV on the presence of \>3 Amsel criteria and a Nugent score \>7. FDA recommends, verification of BV cure should be conducted 21 - 30 days after the initiation of therapy (absence of Amsel's criteria and Nugent score \<4). Cure rate of BV with conventional anti-microbial agents have been disappointing due to high recurrence rate of BV. Recurrence of BV results in repeated exposure to anti-microbial agents which may lead to emergence of drug-resistance strains \& the potential for adverse reactions. This suggests a need for alternative therapeutic measures of BV. Lactobacilli rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacilli fermentum RC-14 are H2O2 producing lactobacilli which are toxic to bacteria causing BV by antagonizing the growth and adhesion of pathologic bacteria causing BV. In non-pregnant women, oral administrations of these strains of lactobacilli are safe, and reduce the risk of BV by restoring predominant lactobacilli, the normal vaginal bacterial flora. Bacterial vaginosis is associated with increased incidence of preterm delivery. For pregnant women, restoration of lactobacilli in the genital tract could be very important to prevent BV and may lower the risk of preterm labor. At present, the safety, tolerability and efficacy of lactobacilli use during pregnancy is not well known for the fetus and the pregnant women. The investigators plan to do a phase I trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of oral lactobacilli on vaginal flora of pregnant women and follow up their infants for any side effect up to 6 months of age. In summary, treatment failure and recurrence of BV following anti-microbial treatment is frustrating. During pregnancy, probiotics may be the next step to treat BV and restore normal vaginal micro flora. But the safety of lactobacilli use during pregnancy is not established. The investigators will do phase I trial to evaluate safety of oral lactobacilli in pregnant women along with their infants up to 6 months.

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