Article Text
Abstract
Introduction Microorganisms associated with Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) have been isolated from the normal flora of the male genital tract, and their presence could be related to the recurrence of BV in women after antibiotic treatment. Therefore, the treatment of sexual partners could decrease the recurrence of infection.To assess the effectiveness in women and the safety in men of concurrent antibiotic treatment for the sexual partners of women treated for BV.
Search methods We searched the Cochrane STI Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, ClinicalTrials and Web of Science. We also handsearched conference proceedings.
Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials that compared the concurrent use of any antibiotic treatment with placebo by the sexual partners of women treated for BV.
Data collection and analysis Authors independently assessed trials for inclusion, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Disagreements were resolved through consensus. Quality of the evidence were assessed using GRADE.
Results Five trials (854 patients) met our inclusion criteria. High quality evidence shows that antibiotic treatment does not increase the rate of clinical or symptomatic improvement in women during the first week (risk ratio (RR) 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96 to 1.03; RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.12; respectively) or between the first and fourth week (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.11; RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.03; respectively). Antibiotic treatment does not led to a lower recurrence (RR 1.28, 95% CI 0.68 to 2.43) in women, but increases the frequency of adverse events reported by sexual partners (RR 2.55, 95% CI 1.55 to 4.18).
Conclusion High quality evidence shows that antibiotic treatment for sexual partners of women with BV, does not increase the rate of clinical or symptomatic improvement and does not led to a lower recurrence rate into the women, but increases the frequency of adverse events reported by sexual partners.