Xyloglucan + Gelose Combination versus Placebo as Adjuvant Therapy to First-Line Antimicrobials for Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection in Adults

Abstract

Background: A medical device containing xyloglucan-gelose-hibiscus-propolis (referred to hereafter as xyloglucan + gelose) acts as a mucosal barrier protector and urinary acidifier. The safety and efficacy of this device were investigated as adjuvant therapy to first-line antimicrobials for treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) in adults. Patients and Methods: In this multicentre, randomised, parallel group, double-blind, phase IV study, xyloglucan + gelose (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) were administered orally in combination with an antimicrobial agent (e.g., ciprofloxacin) for 5 days, then alone for 5 days, then beginning on Day 30 of the study for 15 days per month for 2 months. Results: Frequency of adverse events (AEs) was 5 and 45% in the xyloglucan + gelose and placebo groups respectively. All AEs were unrelated to study products. Xyloglucan + gelose reduced uroculture positivity (defined as a bacterial count ≥10³ CFU/mL) from 100% of patients at baseline to 0% at Day 11, with recurrence in 3 patients (15%) by Day 76. Corresponding results with placebo were 100% uroculture positive patients at baseline reduced to 45% at Day 11, with recurrence in 14 patients (70%) by Day 76. Xyloglucan + gelose significantly reduced the frequency of urinary incontinence and urgency of micturition compared with placebo (both p < 0.05), with symptom resolution in all patients by Day 90. Conclusions: The xyloglucan + gelose medical device was safe, well tolerated, and it reduced bacteriological and symptomatic parameters in adults with uncomplicated UTI.