Comparative efficacy of probiotic yoghurt and clindamycin in treatment of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women: A randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine the comparative efficacy of probiotic yoghurt and clindamycin in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women in the third trimester. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This randomized clinical trial was performed as an open-label study. 310 symptomatic patients with BV were recruited. Diagnosis of BV was through Amsel criteria. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either probiotic yoghurt (100 g twice a day/week) or orally administered clindamycin (300 mg twice a day/week). RESULTS: Ten patients in probiotic group and 9 subjects in clindamycin group had symptom recurrence (p > 0.05). 132 patients in probiotic group and 105 subjects in clindamycin group had pH decrease (p < 0.0001). 140 patients in probiotic group and 141 subjects in clindamycin group had complete symptomatic cure (p > 0.05). Twelve patients in probiotic group and seven subjects in clindamycin group had preterm birth. Nine women in probiotic group and five subjects in clindamycin group had PROM (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to the obtained results, it may be concluded that probiotics would have a good efficacy in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy leading to decreased burden of subsequent preterm birth.