Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 as Natural Breakthrough for Vaginal Health: A Clinical Study
AUTHORS: Amélie Cayzeele-Decherf, Fanny Pélerin, and Peter Jüsten – Medical Journal Obstetrics and Gynecology 5(4): 1112, 21 December 2017
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common and burdensome fungal infection in women. Although conventional therapies exert satisfactory results in curing acute VVC, prevention of relapse remains a concern. The objective of this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study was to evaluate the effect of oral administration of S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 in women conventionally treated for VVC. The women received a single conventional antifungal treatment and consumed a placebo or S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 once a day for 56 days. Vaginal Candida load was measured at each visit by a vaginal swab, and the proportion of relapses was assessed after 8 weeks (W8). Twenty-two (22) women with confirmed VVC were allocated to a verum (n=13) or a placebo group (n=9). Characteristics were similar at baseline except for vaginal Candida load. Compliance was excellent (98.8 ± 8.0%) and probiotic supplementation was well tolerated. In the verum group, Candida vaginal load significantly decreased from W0 to W4 (p <0.01) and from W0 to W8 (p <0.01) while remaining stable in the placebo group. At W8, 4/13 subjects (31%) relapsed in the verum group vs 6/9 subjects (67%) in the placebo group. S. cerevisiae strain CNCM I-3856 is efficient in the control of vaginal Candida proliferation and in preventing VVC recurrence. This probiotic yeast is well-tolerated and easy to use by oral administration.