Thought you may find this article of interest:
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/329/7465/548

To avoid developing vulvovaginal candidiasis after antibiotic use, many
women use complementary and alternative therapies, including lactobacillus
in various forms (e.g., oral capsules, vaginal suppositories, yogurt). In
this Australian study, 278 women (age range, 18-50) with nongynecologic
infections were randomized to receive one of four regimens during 6 days of
antibiotic use and 4 days thereafter: an oral lactobacillus-containing
powder (one-half teaspoon twice daily) and a lactobacillus-containing
vaginal suppository (once daily at bedtime); oral lactobacillus and vaginal
placebo; vaginal lactobacillus and oral placebo; or double placebo.

Women completed symptom surveys and provided self-collected vaginal-swab
specimens at baseline and either 4 days after completing their randomized
treatment or when symptoms developed. Cases were defined as women with
symptoms plus candida isolated from the follow-up swab; asymptomatic women
with positive cultures were not considered cases.

The trial was terminated when enrollment was 62% complete because interim
analysis showed no evidence of treatment benefit. Of the 235 women with
complete outcome data (85% of those randomized), 55 developed symptomatic
vaginal candidiasis. The incidence was 24% with oral and vaginal
lactobacillus, 24% with oral lactobacillus and vaginal placebo, 29% with
vaginal lactobacillus and oral placebo, and 17% with double placebo. The
resulting odds ratios for developing candidiasis were 1.06 for oral
lactobacillus and 1.38 for vaginal lactobacillus (both ORs were
nonsignificant).

Comment: Despite conventional wisdom encouraging women to use lactobacillus
preparations to prevent yeast infections after antibiotic use, this small
but well-designed study demonstrated no benefit from this practice. In
fact, the findings suggest the potential for harm. Based on this study,
clinicians should discourage patients from using these products to prevent
post-antibiotic yeast infections.


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Denise Fisher
Health e-Learning
http://www.health-e-learning.com

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