Fecal microbiota in the treatment of recurrent bacterial vaginitis. Literature review
Article Sidebar
Published:
May 23, 2025
Keywords:
Fecal microbiota, pathology, women's health, medical treatment, bacterial vaginosis.
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction. Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a common disorder in women of reproductive age, characterized by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, with a decrease in lactobacilli and an increase in pathogens such as Gardnerella vaginalis, which has a high recurrence rate and resistance to conventional treatments. Vaginal dysbiosis makes antibiotic treatment difficult, which has prompted the exploration of therapeutic alternatives such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of FMT in the treatment of recurrent BV. Methodology. Analysis of eight previous clinical studies and systematic reviews using the PRISMA methodology. Results. FMT may be a promising option for restoring vaginal microbial balance, reducing disease recurrences, and improving the quality of life of affected women. Conclusion. Despite positive preliminary results, further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and ensure its safety before its widespread implementation in clinical practice. General Study Area: Medicine. Specific Study Area: Gynecology and Obstetrics. Type of Study: Review Article
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
Article Details
How to Cite
Jijón Calero, A. E., & Belalcázar Sánchez, Y. M. (2025). Fecal microbiota in the treatment of recurrent bacterial vaginitis. Literature review. Anatomía Digital, 8(2.1), 91-106. https://doi.org/10.33262/anatomiadigital.v8i2.1.3437
Section
Articulos de revisión bibliográfica
References
1. Sociedad Española de Ginecología y Obstetricia. Diagnóstico y tratamiento de las infecciones vulvovaginales. Revista Oficial de la Sociedad Española de Ginecología y Obstetricia [Internet]. 2022 [citado 5 enero 2025]; 65(1): 61–75. Disponible en: https://sego.es/documentos/progresos/v65-2022/n2/Diagnostico%20y%20tratamiento%20de%20las%20infecciones%20vulvovaginales.pdf
2. Mora Agüero SD. Microbiota y disbiosis vaginal. Revista Médica Sinergia [Internet]. 2019 [citado 5 enero 2025]; 4(1): 3–13. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.31434/rms.v4i1.165
3. Vázquez F, Fernández-Blázquez A, García B. Vaginosis. Microbiota vaginal. Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica [Internet]. 2019 [citado 5 enero 2025]; 37(9): 592–601. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eimc.2018.11.009
4. Brennan C, Chan K, Kumar T, Maissy E, Brubaker L, Dothard MI, et al. Harnessing the power within engineering the microbiome for enhanced gynecologic health. Reproduction and Fertility [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 January 25]; 5(2). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1530/RAF-23-0060
5. Biazzo M, Deidda G. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation as New Therapeutic Avenue for Human Diseases. Journal of Clinical Medicine [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2025 January 25]; 11(14): 4119. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11144119
6. Chen X, Lu Y, Chen T, Li R. The Female Vaginal Microbiome in Health and Bacterial Vaginosis. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2025 January 8]; 11. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2021.631972
7. Meng Y, Sun J, Zhang G. Vaginal microbiota transplantation is a truly opulent and promising edge: fully grasp its potential. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 January 8]; 14. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1280636
8. Salinas AM, Osorio VG, Pacha-Herrera D, Vivanco JS, Trueba AF, Machado A. Vaginal microbiota evaluation and prevalence of key pathogens in Ecuadorian women: an epidemiologic analysis. Scientific Reports [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2025 January 8]; 10(1): 18358. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-74655-z
9. Borges S, Silva J, Teixeira P. The role of lactobacilli and probiotics in maintaining vaginal health. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2025 January 8]; 289(3): 479–89. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-013-3064-9
10. Álvarez J, Fernández Real JM, Guarner F, Gueimonde M, Rodríguez JM, Saenz de Pipaon M, et al. Microbiota intestinal y salud. Gastroenterología y Hepatología [Internet]. 2021 [citado 8 enero 2025]; 44(7): 519–35. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gastrohep.2021.01.009
11. Abou Chacra L, Fenollar F, Diop K. Bacterial Vaginosis: What Do We Currently Know? Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2025 January 5]; 11. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2021.672429
12. Mondal AS, Sharma R, Trivedi N. Bacterial vaginosis: A state of microbial dysbiosis. Medicine in Microecology [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 January 5]; 16: 100082. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medmic.2023.100082
13. Oyenihi AB, Haines R, Trama J, Faro S, Mordechai E, Adelson ME, et al. Molecular characterization of vaginal microbiota using a new 22-species qRT-PCR test to achieve a relative-abundance and species-based diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 January 5];14. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1409774
14. Martinelli S, Nannini G, Cianchi F, Staderini F, Coratti F, Amedei A. Microbiota Transplant and Gynecological Disorders: The Bridge between Present and Future Treatments. Microorganisms [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 January 8]; 11(10): 2407. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102407
15. Nezhadi J, Fadaee M, Ahmadi S, Kafil HS. Microbiota transplantation. Heliyon [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 January 5]; 10(20): e39047. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39047
16. Martínez-Chogllo GE, Mogrovejo-Orellana JD, García-Paguay ME, Armijos-Briceño MA, Campos-Cuasés GA, et al. Eficacia del uso de probióticos a base de lactobacillus SPP. En el tratamiento de la vaginosis bacteriana recurrente: revisión sistemática. La ciencia al servicio de la salud y nutrición [Internet]. 2024 [citado 8 enero 2025]; 15(1). Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.47187/cssn.Vol15.IssEd.Esp.311
17. Chango Rodríguez CA, Gavilánez Rodríguez AA, Villota Moreta BA, Arias Flores JD, Nuñez Núñez LE, et al. Rol de Probióticos en Infecciones Vaginales. Ciencia Latina Revista Científica Multidisciplinar [Internet]. 2024 [citado 8 enero 2025]; 8(3): 1265–1274. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.37811/cl_rcm.v8i3.11334
18. DeLong K, Bensouda S, Zulfiqar F, Zierden HC, Hoang TM, Abraham AG, et al. Conceptual Design of a Universal Donor Screening Approach for Vaginal Microbiota Transplant. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2025 January 8]; 9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2019.00306
19. Ma D, Chen Y, Chen T. Vaginal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a conceptual analysis. FEMS Microbiology Letters [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2025 January 5]; 366(4). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnz025
20. Onifade IA, Sunbare-Funto OJ, Mbah CE, Ajibade OA, Oyawoye OM, Aborode AT, et al. Faecal microbial transplant. Advances in Biomarker Sciences and Technology [Internet]. 2024 [citado 8 enero 2025]; 6:20–34. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abst.2024.02.001
21. Ng RW, Dharmaratne P, Wong S, Hawkey P, Chan P, Ip M. Revisiting the donor screening protocol of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT): a systematic review. Gut [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 January 2]; 73(6): 1029–31. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2023-329515
22. Blaser MJ. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Dysbiosis — Predictable Risks. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2025 January 8]; 381(21): 2064–2066. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMe1913807
23. Wang J-W, Kuo C-H, Kuo F-C, Wang Y-K, Hsu W-H, Yu F-J, et al. Fecal microbiota transplantation: Review and update. Journal of the Formosan Medical Association [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2025 January 5]; 118(1): S23–S31. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2018.08.011
24. Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. Declaración PRISMA 2020: una guía actualizada para la publicación de revisiones sistemáticas. Revista Española de Cardiología [Internet]. 2021 [citado 8 enero 2025]; 74(9): 790–799. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.recesp.2021.06.016
25. Pascual IP, Martínez AR, Fuente Moral de la S. Interacciones entre microbiota y huésped. Medicine - Programa de Formación Médica Continuada Acreditado [Internet]. 2022 [citado 8 enero 2025]; 13(49): 2843–2852. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.med.2022.02.010
26. Patryn R, Kazmierczak-Wojtas N, Bulas L, Boretska O, Szkultecka-Debek M, Drozd M, et al. Faecal microbiota transplantation associated adverse events. Current Issues in Pharmacy and Medical Sciences [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 January 12]; 37(3): 171–178. Available from: https://czasopisma.umlub.pl/curipms/article/view/402
2. Mora Agüero SD. Microbiota y disbiosis vaginal. Revista Médica Sinergia [Internet]. 2019 [citado 5 enero 2025]; 4(1): 3–13. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.31434/rms.v4i1.165
3. Vázquez F, Fernández-Blázquez A, García B. Vaginosis. Microbiota vaginal. Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica [Internet]. 2019 [citado 5 enero 2025]; 37(9): 592–601. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eimc.2018.11.009
4. Brennan C, Chan K, Kumar T, Maissy E, Brubaker L, Dothard MI, et al. Harnessing the power within engineering the microbiome for enhanced gynecologic health. Reproduction and Fertility [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 January 25]; 5(2). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1530/RAF-23-0060
5. Biazzo M, Deidda G. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation as New Therapeutic Avenue for Human Diseases. Journal of Clinical Medicine [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2025 January 25]; 11(14): 4119. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11144119
6. Chen X, Lu Y, Chen T, Li R. The Female Vaginal Microbiome in Health and Bacterial Vaginosis. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2025 January 8]; 11. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2021.631972
7. Meng Y, Sun J, Zhang G. Vaginal microbiota transplantation is a truly opulent and promising edge: fully grasp its potential. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 January 8]; 14. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1280636
8. Salinas AM, Osorio VG, Pacha-Herrera D, Vivanco JS, Trueba AF, Machado A. Vaginal microbiota evaluation and prevalence of key pathogens in Ecuadorian women: an epidemiologic analysis. Scientific Reports [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2025 January 8]; 10(1): 18358. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-74655-z
9. Borges S, Silva J, Teixeira P. The role of lactobacilli and probiotics in maintaining vaginal health. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2025 January 8]; 289(3): 479–89. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-013-3064-9
10. Álvarez J, Fernández Real JM, Guarner F, Gueimonde M, Rodríguez JM, Saenz de Pipaon M, et al. Microbiota intestinal y salud. Gastroenterología y Hepatología [Internet]. 2021 [citado 8 enero 2025]; 44(7): 519–35. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gastrohep.2021.01.009
11. Abou Chacra L, Fenollar F, Diop K. Bacterial Vaginosis: What Do We Currently Know? Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2025 January 5]; 11. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2021.672429
12. Mondal AS, Sharma R, Trivedi N. Bacterial vaginosis: A state of microbial dysbiosis. Medicine in Microecology [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 January 5]; 16: 100082. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medmic.2023.100082
13. Oyenihi AB, Haines R, Trama J, Faro S, Mordechai E, Adelson ME, et al. Molecular characterization of vaginal microbiota using a new 22-species qRT-PCR test to achieve a relative-abundance and species-based diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 January 5];14. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1409774
14. Martinelli S, Nannini G, Cianchi F, Staderini F, Coratti F, Amedei A. Microbiota Transplant and Gynecological Disorders: The Bridge between Present and Future Treatments. Microorganisms [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 January 8]; 11(10): 2407. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102407
15. Nezhadi J, Fadaee M, Ahmadi S, Kafil HS. Microbiota transplantation. Heliyon [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 January 5]; 10(20): e39047. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39047
16. Martínez-Chogllo GE, Mogrovejo-Orellana JD, García-Paguay ME, Armijos-Briceño MA, Campos-Cuasés GA, et al. Eficacia del uso de probióticos a base de lactobacillus SPP. En el tratamiento de la vaginosis bacteriana recurrente: revisión sistemática. La ciencia al servicio de la salud y nutrición [Internet]. 2024 [citado 8 enero 2025]; 15(1). Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.47187/cssn.Vol15.IssEd.Esp.311
17. Chango Rodríguez CA, Gavilánez Rodríguez AA, Villota Moreta BA, Arias Flores JD, Nuñez Núñez LE, et al. Rol de Probióticos en Infecciones Vaginales. Ciencia Latina Revista Científica Multidisciplinar [Internet]. 2024 [citado 8 enero 2025]; 8(3): 1265–1274. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.37811/cl_rcm.v8i3.11334
18. DeLong K, Bensouda S, Zulfiqar F, Zierden HC, Hoang TM, Abraham AG, et al. Conceptual Design of a Universal Donor Screening Approach for Vaginal Microbiota Transplant. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2025 January 8]; 9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2019.00306
19. Ma D, Chen Y, Chen T. Vaginal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a conceptual analysis. FEMS Microbiology Letters [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2025 January 5]; 366(4). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnz025
20. Onifade IA, Sunbare-Funto OJ, Mbah CE, Ajibade OA, Oyawoye OM, Aborode AT, et al. Faecal microbial transplant. Advances in Biomarker Sciences and Technology [Internet]. 2024 [citado 8 enero 2025]; 6:20–34. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abst.2024.02.001
21. Ng RW, Dharmaratne P, Wong S, Hawkey P, Chan P, Ip M. Revisiting the donor screening protocol of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT): a systematic review. Gut [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 January 2]; 73(6): 1029–31. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2023-329515
22. Blaser MJ. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Dysbiosis — Predictable Risks. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2025 January 8]; 381(21): 2064–2066. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMe1913807
23. Wang J-W, Kuo C-H, Kuo F-C, Wang Y-K, Hsu W-H, Yu F-J, et al. Fecal microbiota transplantation: Review and update. Journal of the Formosan Medical Association [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2025 January 5]; 118(1): S23–S31. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2018.08.011
24. Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. Declaración PRISMA 2020: una guía actualizada para la publicación de revisiones sistemáticas. Revista Española de Cardiología [Internet]. 2021 [citado 8 enero 2025]; 74(9): 790–799. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.recesp.2021.06.016
25. Pascual IP, Martínez AR, Fuente Moral de la S. Interacciones entre microbiota y huésped. Medicine - Programa de Formación Médica Continuada Acreditado [Internet]. 2022 [citado 8 enero 2025]; 13(49): 2843–2852. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.med.2022.02.010
26. Patryn R, Kazmierczak-Wojtas N, Bulas L, Boretska O, Szkultecka-Debek M, Drozd M, et al. Faecal microbiota transplantation associated adverse events. Current Issues in Pharmacy and Medical Sciences [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 January 12]; 37(3): 171–178. Available from: https://czasopisma.umlub.pl/curipms/article/view/402