The effectiveness and acceptability of systemic enzyme therapy in the complex treatment of vulvovaginitis caused by opportunistic microorganisms: Open-label single-center prospective comparative randomized study

Abstract

Background. Vulvovaginal infections are the most common, studied, and still causing many questions. It has been established that the disturbance of the ratio of the vaginal microbiota components does not always lead to a disorder since the development and outcome of the disorder largely depend on the state of the macroorganism, including the state of its immune system. To date, the only method for assessing the state of local immunity is smear microscopy with counting leukocytes. An alternative to leukocyte counting is the assessment of immunological parameters (e.g., the transcriptional profile of cytokine genes). An integrated approach to assessing the state of microbiocenosis (the ratio of lactobacilli and opportunistic pathogens) and local mucosal immunity, considering the individual genetic characteristics of patients and microorganisms, makes it possible to optimize treatment methods for vaginitis. One of the ways to increase the effectiveness of treatment and prevention of the recurrence of infectious and inflammatory diseases in gynecology is systemic enzyme therapy based on the complex effect of a specially selected combination of plant and animal origin enzymes on key physiological and pathophysiological processes in the body. Aim. To study the clinical effect and the effect of combined therapy with an antibiotic and a medicinal product, including a complex of enzymes of plant and animal origin (Wobenzym) on the state of the vaginal microbiota, the expression of cytokine genes, and the recurrence rate in patients with bacterial vulvovaginitis. Materials and methods. An open-label, single-center, prospective, comparative, randomized study enrolled 88 patients according to inclusion criteria. After randomization of patients into 2 groups, the main group received combination therapy (clindamycin vaginal cream 2% and Wobenzym), and patients of the comparison group received standard therapy only (clindamycin vaginal cream 2%). Short-term and long-term endpoints were defined. The primary endpoints included the assessment of symptoms, the change over time of the number of leukocytes in Gram-stained smears, and the recurrence rate; the secondary endpoints were the study of the change over time of the inflammation index, the results of the assessment of the state of the vaginal microbiota by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction using the Femoflor 16 reagent kit and a microbiological study. Results. When used in combination, Wobenzym potentiates the antibacterial properties of clindamycin, reduces the inflammation index, promotes the growth of the normal microbiota of the vagina (Lactobacillus spp.), prevents the growth of opportunistic microorganisms and, as a result, prevents the recurrence of vulvovaginitis. Conclusion. The results support the use of combination therapy (antibiotic + Wobenzym) to improve the effectiveness of therapy and maintain normocenosis.

Keywords

• vulvovaginitis
• vaginal microbiota
• opportunistic microflora
• nonspecific vaginitis
• systemic enzyme therapy
• wobenzym