A Prospective, Open-Label Pilot Study of Concurrent Male Partner Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis
Erica L. Plummer, Lenka A. Vodstrcil, Michelle Doyle, Jennifer Danielewski, Gerald L. Murray, Glenda Fehler, Christopher K. Fairley, Dieter Bulach, Suzanne M. Garland, Eric P. F. Chow, Jane S. Hocking, Catriona S. Bradshaw
Abstract
Recurrence of BV following standard treatment is unacceptably high. Posttreatment recurrence is distressing for women, and it imposes a considerable burden on the health care system. Recurrences result in multiple presentations to clinical services and repeated antibiotic use, and the associated obstetric and gynecological sequelae are significant. New treatments to improve long-term BV cure are urgently needed. Here, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate changes in the microbiota composition at three genital sites (vagina, penile skin, and male urethra) of heterosexual couples undergoing concurrent partner treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV). We found that concurrent partner treatment immediately and significantly altered the composition of the genital microbiota of both partners, with a reduction in BV-associated bacteria seen at all three sites. BV cure at 12 weeks posttreatment was higher than expected. These microbiological data provide evidence for continued investigation of partner treatment as a strategy to improve BV cure.