Boric Acid for the Treatment of Vaginitis: New Possibilities Using an Old Anti-Infective Agent Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
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Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, where the typically dominant Lactobacillus species are significantly reduced, leading to an overgrowth of anaerobic and facultative bacteria.
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Divine Aleru
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
The study focused on the use of boric acid as a treatment for various types of microbial vaginitis, specifically vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), bacterial vaginosis (BV), and trichomoniasis. Researchers aimed to compare its efficacy with conventional treatments and determine its potential as an alternative or supplementary therapy.
Who was studied?
This review evaluated clinical trials, observational studies, and interventional studies, including case series and reports. It did not focus on a single group of patients but instead summarized findings from various studies involving individuals with VVC, BV, and trichomoniasis. The studies reviewed ranged from those using boric acid for mycotic vaginitis to those evaluating its effect on bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis.
What were the most important findings?
The systematic review revealed that boric acid (BA) demonstrated a promising efficacy profile in treating vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), particularly in cases caused by Candida glabrata, which is resistant to azole treatments. The review found an average cure rate of 76% for VVC treated with BA. For recurrent bacterial vaginosis, BA combined with 5-nitroimidazole showed effective control, with promising results for reducing relapses. Maintenance therapy with BA also showed similar efficacy to oral itraconazole for VVC and BV, suggesting it may serve as an alternative for managing these conditions. For Trichomonas vaginalis, prolonged boric acid monotherapy cured a substantial portion of patients with recurrent infections, although the exact regimen still requires further research. The study found that the adverse events associated with boric acid treatment were minimal, with a 7.3% occurrence of mild, temporary side effects.
What are the implications of this study?
The rising antimicrobial resistance in vaginitis pathogens, especially those resistant to conventional treatments such as azoles and metronidazole, makes boric acid an appealing alternative. Its broad-spectrum antimicrobial action, including the inhibition of biofilm formation, makes it a strong candidate for treating persistent and recurrent infections. The study suggests that boric acid could be integrated into treatment regimens for patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis, offering an option for cases resistant to other therapies.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, where the typically dominant Lactobacillus species are significantly reduced, leading to an overgrowth of anaerobic and facultative bacteria.