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Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research

Behavioral Predictors of Colonization with Lactobacillus crispatus or Lactobacillus jensenii after Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis: A Cohort Study

  • 2012-09-18
  • Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2012
    • C. Mitchell
    • L. Manhart
    • Kathy Thomas
    • T. Fiedler
    • D. Fredricks
    • J. Marrazzo

Study Design

Type
Observational
Sample size
n = 44
Population
Women with bacterial vaginosis
Methods
Retrospective review

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate predictors of vaginal colonization with lactobacilli after treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Methods: Vaginal fluid specimens from women with BV underwent qPCR for Lactobacillus crispatus, L. jensenii, and L. iners pre- and posttreatment.

Results: Few women with BV were colonized with L. crispatus (4/44, 9%) or L. jensenii (1/44, 2%), though all had L. iners. One month posttreatment 12/44 (27%) had L. crispatus, 12/44 (27%) L. jensenii, and 43/44 (98%) L. iners. Presence of L. jensenii posttreatment was associated with cure (Risk Ratio (RR) 1.67; 95% CI 1.09-2.56); L. crispatus showed a similar trend (RR 1.41; 95% CI 0.89-2.24, P = 0.14). Receptive oral sex was associated with 2.2-log(10) lower concentration of L. crispatus (95% CI -4.38, -.02), and digital-vaginal sex with 2.6-log(10) lower concentration (95% CI -4.87, -.33).

Conclusion: One month after BV treatment, few women established colonization with L. crispatus or L. jensenii. Few behaviors were associated with colonization.

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