COMPARATIVE-EVALUATION OF OFLOXACIN AND METRONIDAZOLE IN THE TREATMENT OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

Background and Objectives: The epidemiology and etiology of bacterial vaginosis is poorly understood. Many antimicrobial agents have been st udied and suggested as treatment alternatives for this infection. Fluo roquinolones have in vitro activity against some of the organisms asso ciated with bacterial vaginosis and may provide another treatment opti on. Study Design: Women who presented with symptomatic bacterial vagin osis were randomly assigned to receive either oral ofloxacin 300 mg tw ice a day or oral metronidazole 500 mg twice a day for seven days. Twe nty-seven of the 31 patients who were enrolled in this double-blinded study were evaluable. Results: Fourteen women received ofloxacin. At f ollow-up, four had no residual symptoms, seven noted a reduction in sy mptoms, and three had no change in symptoms. Eight (57%) of the 14 wom en who received ofloxacin had secretions at follow-up that satisfied t he criteria for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Thirteen women r eceived metronidazole. Nine had no residual symptoms and four noted a reduction in symptoms. Eleven (85%) of the 13 women had normal vaginal secretions and two (15%) had secretions that were improved. None of t he women who received metronidazole had secretions at follow-up that m et the criteria for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Conclusion: We conclude that ofloxacin is less effective than metronidazole in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.