Slow recruitment

The goal of this clinical trial is to show the efficacy and safety of dequalinium chloride in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis compared to metronidazole.

Eligible patients who signed informed consent were randomized to receive treatment with either dequalinium chloride (+ oral placebo) or metronidazole (+ vaginal placebo) for up to 7 days. Primary objective was clinical cure rate at one week after start of treatment. Control visits to assess outcomes were done after end of treatment and after one month.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Premenopausal woman ≥18 years
2. Diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (all 4 Amsel criteria positive, i.e. 1) greyish white thin discharge, 2) postassium hydroxide (KOH) test or 'fishy' smell, 3) microscopic presence of > 20% clue cells, 4) vaginal pH > 4.5)
3. Signed Written Informed Consent to participate in this study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnancy and/or lactation based on urine Pregnancy test (women with childbearing potential should use any contraception excluding vaginal methods like vaginal ring, etc.)
2. Uterine bleeding (including menstruation) or vaginal bleeding of unknown origin
3. Ulcerations/erosions of vaginal mucosa or cervix uteri
4. Patients with clinical symptoms and findings of Candida vulvovaginitis and/or Aerobic vaginitis
5. Clinically manifest or suspicion of sexually transmitted infections (Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, or Trichomonas vaginalis) based on signs, symptoms, and anamnesis
6. Use of any antimicrobial treatment (local or systemic) 14 days before entry the study
7. Use of any vaginal medication or vaginal douching 7 days before entry the study
8. Unwillingness to refrain from alcohol consumption during treatment, and 48 hours after treatment
9. Severe systemic diseases (HIV, cancer, tuberculosis, autoimmune diseases, diabetes mellitus, severe psychiatric conditions, etc.), including diseases treated with immunosuppressive therapies, systemic corticosteroids, or warfarin
10. Known or suspected hypersensitivity to one of the study medications, inclusive of their excipients
11. Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, etc. of the participant (including inability to fill-in electronic patient diary)
12. Participation of patient in another investigational drug study concomitantly or within 30 days prior to entry in the study
13. Patient is relative of, or staff directly reporting to, the investigator