EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF OVA AND LAVAGE MEDICAL DEVICES IN THE TREATMENT OF NON-SPECIFIC VULVOVAGINITIS

To evaluate and compare the efficacy, activity and tolerability of a vaginal ova formulation containing tindalised cultures (Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Streptococcus thermophilus) (LOGUSGYN/CANDIDEP OVULES) and in vaginal lavage (LOGUSGYN/CANDIDEP LAVENDER) in patients with nonspecific vulvovaginitis compared to sterile saline-based vaginal irrigation (AELAV PURLING). The primary efficacy endpoint is based on the percentage of patients with therapeutic success, defined as resolution of signs and symptoms of vaginitis (total symptom score \<4) at the end of treatment. For the overall assessment of clinical outcomes (resolution, improvement or failure): outcomes at the end of treatment will be considered. The treatment outcome will be measured after 5 days (V2) and after 10 days of treatment (V3) for groups A, B and C Also for group D (later, with a second randomisation, divided into groups E and F) the primary endpoint will be the same as for groups A, B, C at the visit after 30 days of treatment (V4) The treatment outcome will be measured after 5 days (V2) (after 10 days (V3) of treatment the SPT result will be re-evaluated and will be included in the secondary endpoints). The evolution of signs and symptoms of vaginitis is defined as the percentage of patients with resolution (overall score 4), improvement (decrease in overall score from baseline of 50%) or failure (decrease in overall score \<50%).

Ninety-one adult female subjects (aged 18-65 years) with a diagnosis of vulvovaginitis and the presence of at least two subjective symptoms and two objective signs (at least moderate) of vaginal inflammation were recruited.

The study was planned with a randomised, controlled, parallel-group sequential design to test a vaginal ova formulation containing tindalised cultures (Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Streptococcus thermophilus) (LOGUSGYN/CANDIDEP OVULES) and vaginal douches (LOGUSGYN/CANDIDEP LAVENDER) in patients with non-specific vulvovaginitis to control treatment (AELAV PURLING- vaginal irrigation with sterile saline). The sequential design involves a first phase with randomisation into 4 groups (A, B, C, D) followed by a second randomisation of group D (patients with vulvovaginitis and positive for HPV at PAP test) into two subgroups (E and F). The primary efficacy endpoint is based on the resolution of vulvovaginitis signs and symptoms (total SPT symptom score at the end of the first Phase I treatment period (after 5 days of treatment) for groups A, B, C and D). For the overall assessment of clinical outcomes (resolution, improvement or failure): results at the end of treatment after 10 days (V3) will be considered as secondary endpoints. Phase II will always have the resolution of vulvovaginitis signs and symptoms (total SPT symptom score f4 at the end of treatment at 30 days (V4)) as the primary endpoint, compared to Phase I results in group D.

The protocol involves 4 visits per patient over 10 days for the groups.

For groups E and F only the visit at V4 after 30 days of treatment. At visit 1 (0 days, baseline visit), patients will have to sign a written informed consent before performing any procedure. Subjects will be screened for study eligibility, verifying that all inclusion criteria and no exclusion criteria are met. At V1, the investigator will collect demographic and anamnestic data and perform a vaginal swab; in case of specific growth of pathogenic organisms, patients will be treated after the 5-day follow-up visit with antibiotics or antimycotics according to the result of the antibiogram. Delivery of the information note to the GP and the study and treatment information sheet to the patient. The investigator will then assess subjective symptomatology (burning, pain, itching, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia and dysuria) Objective symptomatology (leucorrhoea, vulvar erythema, vulvar oedema and presence of abrasion/erosion) Vaginal PH PAP test. Patients will report their degree of satisfaction with the treatment using a 5-point semiquantitative scale. Patients will be interviewed to monitor adherence to the study protocol and symptom trends during the 10-day study period (groups A, B, C and D) and at 30 days (groups E, F) The safety and tolerability of the treatments will be assessed by reporting any local and anticipated adverse events


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion criteria:

* Signed written informed consent
* Subjects diagnosed with vulvovaginitis
* Presence of at least two subjective symptoms and two objective signs (at least moderate) of vaginal inflammation. Vaginal inflammation will be assessed on six subjective symptoms (burning, pain, itching, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia and dysuria and four objective signs (leucorrhoea, vulvar erythema, vulvar oedema and presence of abrasion/erosion)
* The patient is able to read and understand the language and content of the study material, understand the requirements for follow-up visits, willing and able to provide information at scheduled assessments and willing and able to fulfil the requirements of the study
* PAP positive patients were allocated to group D

Exclusion Criteria:

* Persons who do not meet the inclusion criteria
* Patients who do not sign the informed consent form
* Other gynaecological diseases (in addition to cervicovaginitis), immunosuppressive diseases (i.e. HIV infection) or who are immunocompromised for reasons such as corticosteroid therapy, chemotherapy, anti-angiogenic agents or immunosuppressants
* Patients being treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics, antineoplastic or immunosuppressive drugs within 10 days prior to inclusion in the study
* History of connective tissue disease, e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren's syndrome or mixed connective tissue disease
* Known allergy to any component of the device
* Subjects who are unable to understand informed consent or who have a high probability of noncompliance with study procedures and/or noncompletion of the study in the judgment of the investigator
* Time between last day of last menstruation and baseline visit\> 16 days or ≤5 days