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Study aim
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This study aimed to compare the efficacy of probiotic and antibiotic combination therapy with antibiotic therapy alone to prevent the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis.
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Design
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Parallel-arm, Randomized controlled trial
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Settings and conduct
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Gynecological Department of Nishtar Hospital, Multan,
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Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
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Women 18-45 years old having bacterial vaginosis diagnosed according to Amsel's criteria (at least three of the following BV symptoms: Greyish white, thin, homogenous vaginal discharge, vaginal pH >4.5, positive amine test findings, and presence of clue cells (>20%) in a wet smear observed under microscopy, all cured with metronidazole, were enrolled. Patients with a history of allergy against the study drug, pregnant, lactating, menopausal women, history of bleeding from the genital tract of unknown aetiology, women with malignancy of the reproductive tract or any co-morbid condition like AIDS, diabetes, psychiatric illness, or currently using any contraceptive method, and patients using another oral or vaginal probiotic at the time of assessment or receiving antibiotic therapy for another reason were excluded.
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Intervention groups
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In Group A, probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum PBS067, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LRH020, and Bifidobacterium animalis lactis BL050) were administered once a day for 14 days following antibiotic treatment (Tab Metronidazole 400mg TDS for seven days). A post-antibiotic therapy placebo (dextrose-filled pill) was administered to Group B (n = 52).
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Main outcome variables
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Recurrence of bacterial vaginosis