Bacterial biota of women with bacterial vaginosis treated with lactoferrin: an open prospective randomized trial

Pino, Alessandra; Giunta, Giuliana; Randazzo, Cinzia Lucia; Caruso, Salvatore; Caggia, Cinzia; Cianci, Antonio

doi:10.1080/16512235.2017.1357417

Cited by 38 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…So to treat AV infections, the results suggest that anti-staphylococcal drugs should be taken orally. In addition, previous studies indicate that lactoferrin may enhance the host's vaginal innate immune system, regulating bacterial proliferation so that patients benefit from lactoferrin taken orally or as a pessary [29]. It is understood that the pH level was higher than 4.5 in AV patients, principally because microflora in AV were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulasenegative staphylococci etc., with lactobacillus levels lower in comparison [30].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of aerobic vaginitis among women in Xi’an district: a hospital-based study

et al. 2020

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Background: Aerobic vaginitis (AV) is a reproductive tract infection that affects health of women. The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of simple and mixed AV patients in Xi'an district and provide reference data for the clinical treatment of AV. Methods: Patients were recruited from the outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from September 2014 to April 2019 in strict accordance with inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study principally examined the vaginal ecosystem, age distribution, levels of functional enzymes, and changes in pH levels in these women. Differences within groups were analyzed. Results: A total of 284 AV patients were enrolled to investigate the distribution of simple and mixed AV infection. AV infection was found to be mainly simple infection. Simple AV patients were generally aged 50-60 years, while mixed AV patients were mostly aged 30-40 years. In the present study, the density of vaginal bacteria (OR = 13.294, 95% CI = 5.869-30.115, P < 0.01), the type of predominant bacteria (OR = 3.962, 95% CI = 1.785-7.984, P < 0.01) and positive expression of coagulase (OR = 3.789, 95% CI = 1.798-7.984, P < 0.01) were considered risk factors for mixed AV infection. Conclusions: The epidemiology of simple and mixed AV infection were found to be different, with density of vaginal bacteria (I or IV), species that are predominant and levels of coagulase being risk factors for mixed AV infection.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of aerobic vaginitis among women in Xi’an district: a hospital-based study

et al. 2020

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“…Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein involved in the host protection against pathogen microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and yeasts, and its levels in vaginal secretions increase significantly during infections such as gonorrhoea, Chlamydia , cervicitis, bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis thus highlighting its protective physiological role against pathogens and inflammation. Moreover, both the oral and vaginal administration of lactoferrin have been proven to improve the vaginal microbiota composition by increasing the number of lactobacilli, which contribute to hamper pathogen growth . Evidence shows that it is able to reduce significantly the growth of Candida albicans and C. glabrata .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…thus highlighting its protective physiological role against pathogens and inflammation. Moreover, both the oral and vaginal administration of lactoferrin have been proven to improve the vaginal microbiota composition by increasing the number of lactobacilli, which contribute to hamper pathogen growth 46,47. Evidence shows that it is able to reduce significantly the growth of Candida albicans and C. glabrata.…”

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confidence: 99%

Randomised clinical trial in women with Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: Efficacy of probiotics and lactoferrin as maintenance treatment

Russo¹,

Superti²,

Karadja

et al. 2019

Mycoses

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Summary Background Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a recurrent vaginal condition in childbearing women. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of an oral formulation containing Lactobacillus acidophilus GLA‐14, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and bovine lactoferrin on symptoms and recurrence of VVC as adjuvant therapy to topical clotrimazole. Patients/Methods Forty‐eight women positive for C. albicans, symptoms of VVC and documented history of recurrences were randomised into 2 groups receiving verum or placebo (2 capsules/day for 5 days followed by 1 capsule/day for additional 10 days) as adjuvant treatment to clotrimazole (induction phase) followed by a maintenance cycle of 6 months (1 capsule/day verum or placebo for 10 consecutive days each month). Symptoms, overall cure rate and recurrence rate were assessed. Results After clotrimazole therapy, a significant improvement of symptoms was shown in both groups. However, only women treated with probiotics and lactoferrin showed a significant improvement of itching and discharge at 3 and 6 months. During the six‐month follow‐up, recurrences were significantly less in the intervention group vs placebo (33.3% vs 91.7% after 3 months and 29.2% vs 100% after 6 months). Conclusions The results show that the investigated lactobacilli mixture in combination with lactoferrin represents a safe and effective adjuvant approach for reducing symptoms and recurrences of RVVC.

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“…Vaginal bLf administration to 60 women with BV has been shown to be able to modify VM composition. In fact, the treatment induced a reduction of BV-associated Gardnerella, Prevotella , and Lachnospira genera as well as an increase of Lactobacillus species ( 91 ). These data suggest the therapeutic potential of bLf in counteracting female genital tract diseases.…”

Section: Antimicrobial Activity Of Lactobacilli and Lfmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of Lactobacilli and Lactoferrin in the Mucosal Cervicovaginal Defense

et al. 2018

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The innate defense system of the female mucosal genital tract involves a close and complex interaction among the healthy vaginal microbiota, different cells, and various proteins that protect the host from pathogens. Vaginal lactobacilli and lactoferrin represent two essential actors in the vaginal environment. Lactobacilli represent the dominant bacterial species able to prevent facultative and obligate anaerobes outnumber in vaginal microbiota maintaining healthy microbial homeostasis. Several mechanisms underlie the protection exerted by lactobacilli: competition for nutrients and tissue adherence, reduction of the vaginal pH, modulation of immunity, and production of bioactive compounds. Among bioactive factors of cervicovaginal mucosa, lactoferrin, an iron-binding cationic glycoprotein, is a multifunctional glycoprotein with antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic activities, recently emerging as an important modulator of inflammation. Lactobacilli and lactoferrin are largely under the influence of female hormones and of paracrine production of various cytokines. Lactoferrin is strongly increased in lower genital tract mucosal fluid of women affected by Neisseria gonorrheae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis infections promoting both innate and adaptive immune responses. In vaginal dysbiosis characterized by low amounts of vaginal lactobacilli and increased levels of endogenous anaerobic bacteria, the increase in lactoferrin could act as an immune modulator assuming the role normally played by the healthy microbiota in vaginal mucosa. Then lactoferrin and lactobacilli may be considered as biomarkers of altered microbial homeostasis at vaginal level. Considering the shortage of effective treatments to counteract recurrent and/or antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, the intravaginal administration of lactobacilli and lactoferrin could be a novel efficient therapeutic strategy and a valuable tool to restore mucosal immune homeostasis.

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Bacterial biota of women with bacterial vaginosis treated with lactoferrin: an open prospective randomized trial

Cited by 38 publications

References 57 publications

Characteristics of aerobic vaginitis among women in Xi’an district: a hospital-based study

Characteristics of aerobic vaginitis among women in Xi’an district: a hospital-based study

Randomised clinical trial in women with Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: Efficacy of probiotics and lactoferrin as maintenance treatment

Role of Lactobacilli and Lactoferrin in the Mucosal Cervicovaginal Defense

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