Oral use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L-fermentum RC-14 significantly alters vaginal flora:: randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 64 healthy women

Urogenital infections afflict an estimated one billion people each year. The size of this problem and the increased prevalence of multidrug resistant pathogens make it imperative that alternative remedies be found. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 64 healthy women given daily oral capsules of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14 for 60 days showed no adverse effects. Microscopy analysis showed restoration from asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis microflora to a normal lactobacilli colonized microflora in 37% women during lactobacilli treatment compared to 13% on placebo (P = 0.02). Lactobacilli were detected in more women in the lactobacilli-treated group than in the placebo group at 28 day (P 0.08) and 60 day (P=0.05) test points. Culture findings confirmed a significant increase in vaginal lactobacilli at day 28 and 60, a significant depletion in yeast at day 28 and a significant reduction in coliforms at day 28, 60 and 90 for lactobacilli-treated subjects versus controls. The combination of probiotic L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14 is not only safe for daily use in healthy women, but it can reduce colonization of the vagina by potential pathogenic bacteria and yeast. (C) 2003 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.