High recurrence rates of bacterial vaginosis over the course of 12 months after oral metronidazole therapy and factors associated with recurrence

Abstract

Background. We wished to determine recurrences of bacterial vaginosis (BV) after treatment over the course of 12 months and to establish factors associated with recurrence. Methods. Women with symptomatic BV (a Nugent score [NS] of 7-10 or of 4-6 with ≥3 Amsel criteria) were enrolled. BV was treated with 400 mg of oral metronidazole twice a day for 7 days. Participants completed a questionnaire and vaginal swabs were collected at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; the study end point was an NS of 7-10. Results. A total of 121 (87%) women with an NS of 7-10 and 18 (13%) with an NS of 4-6 and ≥3 Amsel criteria were enrolled; 130 (94%) returned ≥1 vaginal samples. Sixty-eight women (58% [95% confidence in..