Experience with clindamycin and lactic acid in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis

Abstract

Background. Currently, the search for the most effective methods to treat bacterial vaginosis remains relevant because of the high recurrence rate and resistance of the associated bacteria to antimicrobial drugs, along with the potential side effects of antibiotic therapy. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of using clindamycin and lactic acid sequentially, in comparison to lactic acid monotherapy, for women with bacterial vaginosis.
 Materials and methods. An open, randomized, comparative clinical study was conducted with 20 women (aged 18–45 years) who had bacterial vaginosis diagnosed according to R. Amsel criteria. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups, each comprising 10 patients. Group 1 took lactic acid, whereas group 2 employed clindamycin and lactic acid. After 14 days, clinical and laboratory efficacy was assessed based on Amsel criteria.
 Results. Objective and subjective symptoms such as vaginal discharge of whitish-gray color with unpleasant odor were not observed in both groups 2 weeks after the end of treatment. Positive dynamics of vaginal pH was recorded in both groups; however, a more pronounced effect was observed in women who used clindamycin and lactic acid.
 Conclusions. Both sequential clindamycin and lactic acid monotherapy demonstrated high clinical efficacy and good tolerability. Posttreatment pH values did not differ significantly between the two groups; however, a greater pH deviation was observed in the clindamycin and lactic acid sequential group. Further evaluations of long-term results are necessary.