Lactobacilli vaginal colonisation after oral consumption of Respecta(®) complex: a randomised controlled pilot study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the current pilot study was to determine if oral consumption of a combination of two probiotics; L. acidophilus La-14, L. rhamnosus HN001, and bovine lactoferrin (Respecta(®) complex), would lead to the detection with molecular techniques of the consumed probiotic strains in the vagina.

METHODS

Healthy volunteers (40) consumed the study product twice daily for 2 weeks. Vaginal swabs were collected at 0, 1, 2 and 3 weeks and analysed for the consumed organisms by qPCR.

RESULTS

Vaginal L. rhamnosus and L. acidophilus levels were significantly increased on days 14 and 21. On days 14 and 21 a significant number of women had increased levels of vaginal L. acidophilus and on days 7 and 21 a significant number of women had increased levels of vaginal L. rhamnosus.

CONCLUSIONS

Consumption of L. acidophilus La-14, L. rhamnosus HN001 in combination with bovine lactoferrin leads to vaginal detection; even 1 week after consumption was stopped. This provides a basis for future studies on urogenital tract health.