Bacterial vaginosis treated with metronidazole. Effects on the vaginal microbiology by a single dose versus a five...

The microbiological vaginal flora was studied in 42 women with clinical findings consistent with the concept bacterial vaginosis (BV). The women and their consorts were treated with metronidazole (Flagyl), either a single dose of 2,000 mg or 400 mg three times daily for five days. Effect of treatment was assessed four weeks after its initiation. Clinical cure was attained in more than 80% of the cases and was the same irrespective of treatment. The microbiologic flora changed by treatment in direction to normal, i.e. lactobacilli regained predominance and reduction of Gardnerella vaginalis and anaerobic grampositive cocci was evident. There was no difference evident in the microbiological changes induced by the two treatment regimens. The findings support previous conclusions that BV represents a disorder of the vaginal milieu and is not the result of an infection with pathogenic microorganisms.