Current therapeutic approach to mixed vulvovaginal infections

Abstract

T.V. Tazina Ryazan State Medical University, Ryazan, Russian Federation The evolutionarily formed community of symbiotic microbes harbored by a healthy vagina (or vaginal microbiota) contains not only Lactobacillus spp. but also many opportunistic microbes. These microbes can become pathogenic under the effects of exogenous factors and provoke vulvovaginitis whose symptoms force to see a gynecologist. Therefore, treatment of mixed vulvovaginal infections is still an important issue. Both the polymicrobial nature of these inflammatory diseases and increasing antimicrobial resistance should be considered when prescribing medications. This paper reviews current therapeutic approaches to mixed vulvovaginal infections and, in particular, emphasizes the most common causative agents. The mechanism and type of action of active ingredients of complex vaginal preparations to prevent polypharmacy and provide an etiological, topical, effective, and safe treatment are described in detail. The authors emphasize that therapeutic efficacy and safety of any vaginal formulations depend on both the content of active ingredients and the rate and  completeness of their release, submucosal and systemic absorption. Keywords: co-infection, bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidosis, metronidazole, miconazole, drug formulations. For citation: Tazina T.V. Current therapeutic approach to mixed vulvovaginal infections. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2021;4(2):144–148. DOI: 10.32364/2618-8430-2021-4-2-144-148.