Press Release EcoVag® shows promise for perinatal outcomes

A new clinical study has shown that the vaginal probiotic EcoVag® from Bifodan A/S may prolong pregnancy in women with premature rupture of membranes.

The study, conducted by G.J. Daskalaskis and A.K. Karambelas was designed to test the effect of probiotics as an adjunct to standard antibiotic treatment of women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). 106 women with PPROM were randomized to receive either antibiotics or antibiotics plus EcoVag® for 10 days.

Instillation of EcoVag® significantly prolonged the latency period resulting in a significant increase in gestational age of 3 weeks at birth. In addition, birth weight was significantly higher in the study group in comparison to controls.

Moreover, neonates in the study group had a lower chance of entering the neonatal intensive care unit, had shorter total hospitalization time, and a lower need for oxygen administration.

PPROM increases the risk of severe perinatal complications and is the major cause for preterm delivery. Standard care of PPROM involves treatment with antibiotics, which may lead to disruption of the normal vaginal microbiota resulting in overgrowth of pathogens and an increased risk of ascending infections. The new study shows that the specific probiotic product may improve pregnancy outcomes in women treated with antibiotics and at risk of preterm birth.

“PPROM is responsible for one third of all preterm deliveries worldwide. Based on the clinical data that we have now published, the administration of vaginal probiotics, as adjuvant to antibiotic treatment for PPROM, to prolong pregnancy holds great potential. We will continue our research in this field” says Dr. Daskalakis.

“At Bifodan, we are very proud that EcoVag® was chosen for the ground breaking clinical research by Dr. Daskalakis”, says Erik Brandsborg, Chief Scientific Officer at Bifodan. “Evidence is increasing that a healthy vaginal microbiota contributes positively to conception and to overall pregnancy health. We are dedicated to continuing clinical research with EcoVag® in this important area”, concludes Erik Brandsborg.

The study has been published in Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy: Daskalaskis, G.J. and Karambelas, A.K. (2016): Vaginal Probiotic Administration in the Management of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes.

To learn more about EcoVag®, please visit the website; www.ecovag.com

For further information contact:
Niels Peter Bak
Ecovag® Business Unit Manager
npb@bifodan.com

Bifodan A/S develops and manufactures probiotic turnkey solutions for private label customers worldwide. Based just North of Copenhagen, Denmark, Bifodan delivers science based, high quality probiotic products, manufactured at our GMP approved production facility. Bifodan has a long history in the probiotic industry, as the company was founded by the first Danish dairy to launch a probiotic based fermented milk product back in 1938. Bifodan has been dedicated to research and development of innovative probiotic solutions since 1992.