Overall , lactobacilli were beneficial for the treatment of patients with bacterial vaginosis .
No clear benefit was seen for c and idiasis or urinary tract infection .
In conclusion , the use of certain lactobacillus strains such as L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri for prevention and treatment of recurrent urogenital infection is promising , especially for recurrent bacterial vaginosis .
Abstract Probiotics are increasingly being used to treat and prevent urogenital infections .
However , a critical assessment of their efficacy in major urogenital infections is lacking .
We report the results of a systematic review to determine the efficacy of probiotics for prevention or treatment of three major urogenital infections : bacterial vaginosis , vulvovaginal c and idiasis , and urinary tract infection .
Ingestion of yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus as prophylaxis for candidal vaginitis.
OBJECTIVE To assess whether daily ingestion of yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus prevents  vulvovaginal c and idal infections .  DESIGN Crossover trial for at least 1 year during which patients were examined for c and idal infections and colonizations while receiving either a yogurt-free or a yogurt-containing diet . Patients served as their own controls . SETTING Ambulatory infectious disease center in a teaching hospital providing tertiary care . PATIENTS Thirty-three women with recurrent c and idal vaginitis were eligible after recruitment from community practice s and clinics and through advertising . Twelve patients were eliminated for protocol violations . Of the remaining 21 patients , 8 who were assigned to the yogurt arm initially refused to enter the control phase 6 months later . Thus , 13 patients completed the protocol . INTERVENTIONS Women ate yogurt for 6 months of the study period . MEASUREMENTS Colonization of lactobacilli and c and ida in the vagina and rectum ; c and idal infections of the vagina . MAIN RESULTS Thirty-three eligible patients were studied . A threefold decrease in infections was seen when patients consumed yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus . The mean ( + /- SD ) number of infections per 6 months was 2.54 + /- 1.66 in the control arm and 0.38 + /- 0.51 per 6 months in the yogurt arm ( P = 0.001 ) . C and idal colonization decreased from a mean of 3.23 + /- 2.17 per 6 months in the control arm to 0.84 + /- 0.90 per 6 months in the yogurt arm ( P = 0.001 ) . CONCLUSION Daily ingestion of 8 ounces of yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus decreased both c and idal colonization and infection
Overall , lactobacilli were beneficial for the treatment of patients with bacterial vaginosis .
No clear benefit was seen for c and idiasis or urinary tract infection .
In conclusion , the use of certain lactobacillus strains such as L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri for prevention and treatment of recurrent urogenital infection is promising , especially for recurrent bacterial vaginosis .
Abstract Probiotics are increasingly being used to treat and prevent urogenital infections .
However , a critical assessment of their efficacy in major urogenital infections is lacking .
We report the results of a systematic review to determine the efficacy of probiotics for prevention or treatment of three major urogenital infections : bacterial vaginosis , vulvovaginal c and idiasis , and urinary tract infection .