The accuracy of Amsel's clinical criteria individually or in combinations of two was as accurate as the presence of at least three criteria for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis.

A lactic acid plus lactoserum liquid soap for external intimate hygiene may be an option for the prevention of BV recurrence after treatment and cure with oral metronidazole.

Objective: To determine the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) after the use of a lactic acid plus lactoserum liquid soap starting immediately after the treatment with oral metronidazole and the quality of life of the participants. Methods: A total of 123 women with diagnosis of BV with at least three of the following criteria: 1) homogeneous vaginal discharge without inflammation of the vagina or vulva; 2) vaginal pH > 4.5; 3) positive Whiff test; and 4) "clue cells" in more than 20% of the epithelial cells in the vagina. A Nugent score > 4 in the vaginal bacterioscopy was also used. After BV diagnosis, metronidazole 500 mg was administered orally bid during 7 days. Patients cured of BV were then instructed to use 7.5 to 10 mL of a lactic acid plus lactoserum liquid soap once-a-day for hygiene of the external genital region. Three subsequent control visits after starting the hygiene treatment (30, 60, and 90 days; ± 5 days) were scheduled. A questionnaire was applied in the form of visual analogue scale (VAS) in all the visits regarding: 1) level of comfort at the genital region; 2) malodorous external genitalia; 3) comfort in sexual intercourse; 4) satisfaction with intimate hygiene; and 5) self-esteem. Results: Ninety two (74.8%) women initiated the use of a lactic acid plus lactoserum liquid soap at visit 1. At visit 2, 3, and 4 there were 84, 62 and 42 women available for evaluation, respectively. The rate of recurrence of BV was 19.0%, 24.2% and 7.1%, respectively in the three visits and vaginal candidiasis was observed in five treated women. Quality of life was evaluated in the 42 women who completed the four visits schedule and there were significant improvement in the five domains assessed. Conclusion: A lactic acid plus lactoserum liquid soap for external intimate hygiene may be an option for the prevention of BV recurrence after treatment and cure with oral metronidazole.

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The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of pentoxifylline (P) in heart remodeling induced by exposure to tobacco smoke (ETS).MethodsWistar rats were allocated in 4 groups: C (control); S (smoke); P (diet with P 100mg/kg) SP (smoke + diet with P100mg/kg). After 2 months, animals were submitted to echocardiography, isolated heart study, and oxidative stress evaluation. Two way anova and Holm Sidak tests were performed.ResultsETS leaded to an increase in left atrium area (p=0,04) and in left ventricle weight (p=0,04) and to impairment of ventricle function that was improved by pentoxifylline as observed in maximum positive derivative (C=3851±245; P=3500±400; S=2725±310; SP=3950± 310) (p=0,01). ETS increased oxidative stress that was attenuated by pentoxifylline: lipoperoxides (C=133,4±14,7; S=175,8±11,5; P=100,0±14,5; SP=128,3±11,9) (p<0,001), Glutathione peroxidases (C=37,4±4,8; S=17,519±3,9; P=33,6±6,4; SP=37,2±5,3) (p<0,001), superoxide dismutase (C=19,4±1,9; S=11,2±0,89; P=16,4±1,6; SP=21,7±2,9) (p<0,001).ConclusionIt is possible that pentoxifylline attenuates cardiac remodeling induced by ETS, in part due to reduction of oxidative stress.