Inflammation and Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis Near Term
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00720291 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : July 22, 2008
Last Update Posted : July 27, 2018
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Most studies demonstrate that untreated bacterial vaginosis increases the rate of preterm birth. Despite this, there is no evidence that screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis nor interpregnancy treatment of endometritis decreases the subsequent rate of preterm birth. However, treatment of symptomatic bacterial vaginosis has been associated with a modest reduction in subsequent preterm birth. Potential mechanisms for this reduction include a decrease in peripheral maternal pro-inflammatory activation of the TH1 inflammatory cascade with treatment, however this direct pathway has not been elucidated. The approved treatment for bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy consists of Metronidazole 500mg BID for 7 days. A more complete understanding of the effect of Metronidazole on maternal inflammation would be useful in designing strategies to reduce the rates of preterm birth.
This study proposes to determine the effect of standard treatment of BV carriage on maternal serum markers of inflammation. This will be accomplished by giving patients with asymptomatic BV either the standard treatment of metronidazole or a placebo for 7 days. Blood will be drawn to compare levels of Interleukins 1 and 6 as well as Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Bacterial Vaginosis | Drug: Metronidazole Drug: Placebo | Not Applicable |
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 59 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Inflammation and Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis Near Term |
Actual Study Start Date : | February 2006 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | November 23, 2010 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | November 23, 2010 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Active Comparator: Metronidazole
Subjects who are randomly assigned to receive metronidazole 500 mg po for a period of 7 days following diagnosis of asymptomatic BV.
|
Drug: Metronidazole
Patients who are randomly assigned to receive Metronidazole will receive 500 mg po bid Metronidazole for 7 days
Other Name: Flagyl, CAS# 443-48-1 |
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
Subjects who are randomly assigned to receive a placebo for a period of 7 days following the diagnosis of asymptomatic BV.
|
Drug: Placebo
Patients who are randomly assigned to receive a placebo will receive a placebo pill po bid for 7 days. |
- Levels of Interleukins 1 and 6 as well as Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha [ Time Frame: 3-5 days after start of treatment ]

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 45 Years (Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | Female |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- 32 weeks gestation or greater
- Multiparity
- No history of preterm birth
- English speaking
- Ability to provide informed consent
- Bacterial vaginosis by gram stain
Exclusion Criteria:
- Acute infections at any site
- Active autoimmune disease
- Current anti-inflammatory use
- Symptomatic bacterial vaginosis
- Previous adverse reaction to metronidazole
- Reports ongoing ethanol consumption

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00720291
United States, South Carolina | |
Medical University of South Carolina | |
Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29425 |
Principal Investigator: | Heather Norton, MD | Medical University of South Carolina |
Responsible Party: | Heather Norton, MD, Medical University of South Carolina |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00720291 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
HR # 17069 |
First Posted: | July 22, 2008 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | July 27, 2018 |
Last Verified: | January 2010 |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Metronidazole BV Pregnancy |
Vaginosis, Bacterial Vaginal Diseases Inflammation Pathologic Processes Bacterial Infections Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Infections |
Vaginitis Metronidazole Anti-Infective Agents Anti-Bacterial Agents Antiprotozoal Agents Antiparasitic Agents |