Lactobacilli vs. TMP/SMX to Prevent Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

Effectiveness was similar to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and Lactobacilli did not cause antibiotic resistance.

Lactobacilli use can restore normal vaginal flora and thwart colonization by pathogenic bacteria. To assess its value in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs), Dutch researchers conducted a randomized placebo-controlled trial that involved 252 postmenopausal women with histories of at least three symptomatic UTIs in the previous year; the women received either nightly trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX; 80 mg/400 mg) or standard doses of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 twice daily.

During the next 12 months, the mean numbers of symptomatic UTIs were 2.9 in the TMP-SMX group and 3.3 in the Lactobacilli group (compared with roughly 7 UTIs in the preceding year for both groups); the difference was not statistically s…

Reviewing Author

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

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Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

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