Melbourne School of Population and Global Health - Research Publications

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Start date: 2013 × Type: Journal Article × Subject: bacterial vaginosis ×

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    The Influence of Behaviors and Relationships on the Vaginal Microbiota of Women and Their Female Partners: The WOW Health Study
    Bradshaw, CS ; Walker, SM ; Vodstrcil, LA ; Bilardi, JE ; Law, M ; Hocking, JS ; Fethers, KA ; Fehler, G ; Petersen, S ; Tabrizi, SN ; Chen, MY ; Garland, SM ; Fairley, CK (OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC, 2014-05-15)
    BACKGROUND: A community-based study of women who have sex with women (WSW) was performed to determine the burden of bacterial vaginosis (BV), and behavioral factors influencing the vaginal microbiota of women and their female sexual partners (FSPs), as measured by Nugent score (NS). METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 18-55-year-old WSW recruited nationally, participants completed questionnaires and self-collected vaginal swab samples weekly on 3 occasions. BV was defined as an NS of 7-10. Factors associated with BV, stability of NS category, and concordance of these categories in co-enrolled couples were examined with multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 458 participants were recruited; 192 were co-enrolled with their FSP (96 couples). BV was detected in 125 women (27%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 23%-32%). BV was associated with ≥4 lifetime FSPs (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-3.1), an FSP with BV symptoms (AOR, 2.9; 1.0-8.2) and smoking, with ≥30 cigarettes per week showing greatest odds (AOR, 2.7; 1.5-5.0). Of 428 women returning ≥2 swab samples, 375 (88%) had a stable NS category across all samples, predominantly reflecting normal flora. Co-enrolled WSW were less likely to have BV (31% vs 23%; P = .07), and the majority (70%) were concordant for NS category (κ = 0.47; P ≤ .01), with most concordant for normal flora. Concordant NS category was associated with a relationship of >6 months (AOR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.4-16.4) and frequent sexual contact (more than once per month; AOR, 2.7; 1.0-7.1). CONCLUSIONS: BV is associated with key behaviors and smoking practices in WSW, but longer-duration, sexually active WSW partnerships support a stable favorable vaginal microbiota.
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    Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis Is Significantly Associated With Posttreatment Sexual Activities and Hormonal Contraceptive Use
    Bradshaw, CS ; Vodstrcil, LA ; Hocking, JS ; Law, M ; Pirotta, M ; Garland, SM ; De Guingand, D ; Morton, AN ; Fairley, CK (OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC, 2013-03-15)
    BACKGROUND: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) recurrence posttreatment is common. Our aim was to determine if behaviors were associated with BV recurrence in women in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). METHODS: Symptomatic 18- to 50-year-old females with BV (≥3 Amsel criteria and Nugent score [NS] = 4-10) were enrolled in a 3-arm randomized double-blind RCT Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Australia, in 2009-2010. All 450 participants received oral metronidazole (7 days) and were equally randomized to vaginal clindamycin, lactobacillus-vaginal probiotic or vaginal placebo. At 1, 2, 3, and 6 months, participants self-collected vaginal smears and completed questionnaires. Primary endpoint was NS = 7-10. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for risk of BV recurrence associated with baseline and longitudinal characteristics. RESULTS: Four hundred four (90%) women with postrandomization data contributed to analyses. Cumulative 6-month BV recurrence was 28% (95% confidence interval [CI], 24%-33%) and not associated with treatment. After stratifying for treatment and adjusting for age and sex frequency, recurrence was associated with having the same pre-/posttreatment sexual partner (adjusted HR [AHR] = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-3.0), inconsistent condom use (AHR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-3.3), and being non-Australian (AHR = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0-2.1), and halved with use of an estrogen-containing contraceptive (AHR = 0.5; 95% CI, .3-.8). CONCLUSIONS: Risk of BV recurrence was increased with the same pre-/posttreatment sexual partner and inconsistent condom use, and halved with use of estrogen-containing contraceptives. Behavioral and contraceptive practices may modify the effectiveness of BV treatment. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: ACTRN12607000350426.