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Table 1 Updated summary of prior male partner treatment trials aimed at reducing recurrent BV

From: Bacterial vaginosis: drivers of recurrence and challenges and opportunities in partner treatment

First author (year)

Location

Sample sizea

Treatment of women

Treatment arm for men

Comparator arm (men)

Primary outcome

Findings

Swedberg (1985) [45]

Casper, Wyoming, USA

64

Oral MTZ 2g single dose OR

Oral MTZ 2g single dose OR

Standard of care

Culture negative for G. vaginalis and improved vaginal symptoms at 21d

68% v 64%

RR=1.06; 95%CI 0.74–1.52

Oral MTZ 500mg bid 7d

Oral MTZ 500mg bid 7d

Vejtorp (1988) [46]

Denmark

106

Oral MTZ 2g on d1 and 3

Oral MTZ 2g on d1 and 3

Placebo

Clinically diagnosed BV at 5w

25% v 29%

RR=0.85; 95%CI 0.45–1.61

G. vaginalis at 5w

26% v 40%

RR=0.64; 95%CI 0.37–1.12

Symptom improvement or cure at 5w

26% v 40%

RR=0.64; 95%CI 0.83–1.29

Mengel (1989) [47]

Seattle, Washington, USA

98

Oral MTZ 2g single dose OR

Oral MTZ 2g single dose OR

Placebo

Symptoms and clinical cure of BV at 2, 5, and 8w; BV on vaginal Gram stain at 2 and 5w

No point estimates reportedb

Oral MTZ 500mg bid 7d

Oral MTZ 500mg bid 7d

Moi (1989) [48]

Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden

190

Oral MTZ 2g on d1 and 3

Oral MTZ 2g on d1 and 3

Placebo

Relapse of clinically diagnosed BV at 12w

21% v 16%

RR=1.33; 95%CI 0.73–2.44

Vutyavanich (1993) [49]

Thailand

133

Oral TIN 2g single dose

Oral TIN 2g single dose

Placebo

Clinical cure of BV at 4w

72% v 63%

RR=1.13; 95%CI 0.95–1.35

Colli (1997) [50]

Italy

139

2% clindamycin intravaginal cream 7 nights

Oral clindamycin 150mg qid

Placebo

Clinically diagnosed BV recurrence at 12w

31.9% v 30.0%

RR=1.06; 95%CI 0.65–1.75

Schwebke (2021) [51]

Multisite, USA

214

Oral MTZ 500mg bid 7d

Oral MTZ 500mg bid 7d

Placebo

BV cure defined as 0–2 Amsel criteria and Nugent score 0–6 at 16w

81% v 80%

Fisher’s exact test p>0.999

Vodstrcilc in progress [52]

Multisite, Australia

Aims to recruit 342

Oral MTZ 500mg bid 7dd

Oral MTZ 500mg bid and topical clindamycin bid 7d

Standard of care

BV recurrence defined as 3–4 Amsel criteria and Nugent score 4-10 at 12w

in progress

  1. Adapted from Mehta [53]; “standard of care” indicates female-only treatment; MTZ, metronidazole; TIN, tinidazole; d, days; w, weeks; m, months
  2. aSample size reflects those included in the analysis
  3. bAt 2 and 5w, women who had male sexual partners who received treatment showed less BV on vaginal Gram stain; these women also had fewer vaginal symptoms at 8 weeks
  4. cTrial is currently recruiting (ACTRN12618000219280)
  5. dWomen can receive topical clindamycin 7 nights if MTZ is contraindicated