Effects on Vaginal Microbiota Restoration and Cervical Epithelialization in Positive HPV Patients Undergoing Vaginal Treatment with Carboxy-Methyl-Beta-Glucan.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Evaluate the effects of carboxy-methyl-beta-glucan on cervical epithelialization and on the vaginal microbiota in patients with HPV infection or low-grade cervical preneoplastic lesion (CIN 1).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Seven-hundred eighty-four women with positive HPV tests or diagnosed with CIN 1 were enrolled in a retrospective case-control study. All the recruited women performed, at baseline and after 6 months, Pap test, HPV test, evaluation of vaginal health according to the Amsel criteria, colposcopy, and punch biopsy. The study population was then divided into 2 groups in relation to the therapy performed during the follow-up period. Group A performed treatment with vaginal gel based on carboxy-methyl-beta-glucan (1 application/day for 20 days per month for 3 months). Group B was the control group.

RESULTS:

The patients of group A had a significant improvement in the ectopia pattern and a greater number of cases with metaplasia in the maturation phase with a significant increase in Lugol uptake. In the experimental group, a significant improvement in the pH indices, a negative Swift test and a resolution of the leucorrhoea were observed. A negative result of the 37.1% Pap test and the 39.9% HPV test (vs. 15.2% and 16.5%, respectively) were demonstrated in the treatment group with respect to the control group. A negativization of the colposcopic pictures was observed with a reduction in the amount of CIN 1 found higher in the treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS:

Vaginal therapy based on carboxy-methyl-beta-glucan has been able to improve overall vaginal health; this effect seemed to positively impact the risk of persistence and progression of CIN.

• Authors: Giada Lavitola, Luigi Della Corte, Nicoletta De Rosa, Carmine Nappi, Giuseppe Bifulco
• Journal: BioMed research international (Biomed Res Int) Vol. 2020 Pg. 5476389 ( 2020) ISSN: 2314-6141 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 32420349 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2020 Giada Lavitola et al.

Chemical References

• beta-Glucans
• carboxymethyl-beta-1,3-glucan

Topics

• Adult
• Case-Control Studies
• Cervix Uteri (cytology, drug effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Microbiota (drug effects)
• Papillomavirus Infections (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Re-Epithelialization (drug effects)
• Retrospective Studies
• Vagina (drug effects, microbiology)
• beta-Glucans (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Uterine Cervical Dysplasia (drug therapy, physiopathology)