Author(s)

Christel Neut¹, François Verrière^2*, Hans J. Nelis³, Tom Coenye³

¹Laboratoire de Bactériologie Clinique, Faculté de Pharmacie, Lille, France.
²Laboratoire Innotech International, Arcueil, France.
³Laboratorium voor Farmaceutische Microbiologie, Gent, Belgium.

Objectives: The balance of the vaginal ecosystem depends on lactobacilli whose biofilm protectsagainst microorganisms that are not normally present or are subdominant in vaginal flora. Vaginal infection treatments should eliminate pathogens while preserving the Lactobacillus flora to prevent relapse or recurrence. The objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity of lactobacilli to antiseptics, antibiotics and antifungal agents used, alone or in combination, in the topical treatment of infectious vaginitis. Materials and Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 15 active ingredients and the minimum inhibitory dilution (MID) of 17 pharmaceuticals products were determined for three main Lactobacillus strains (L. crispatus, L. gasseri and L. jensenii). Results: The MICs of the antibiotics and antifungal agents were above their critical concentrations in the three strains, contrary to the antiseptics. According to their MID, some pharmaceutical products, especially combinations, inhibit the growth of one or more strains at concentrations that can be found in the vaginal mucosa after application at the usual dosage. Conclusions: Certain topical anti-infective drugs may interfere with the growth of lactobacilli, worsening the vaginal flora imbalance. Maintaining vaginal flora balance should be a selection criterion when choosing an anti-infective therapy.

Lactobacillus, Infectious Vaginitis, Antiseptics, Antibiotics, Antifungal Agents

Neut, C. , Verrière, F. , Nelis, H. and Coenye, T. (2015) Topical Treatment of Infectious Vaginitis: Effects of Antibiotic, Antifungal and Antiseptic Drugs on the Growth of Normal Vaginal Lactobacillus Strains. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 5, 173-180. doi: 10.4236/ojog.2015.53024.