Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41452092›Full record

ReviewCurrent opinion in infectious diseases2026

Advances in treating bacterial vaginosis: recognizing sexual transmission and pipeline of therapies.

Eun Sol Kim, Andreea Waltmann, Joseph A Duncan, Indriati Hood-Pishchany

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Current opinion in infectious diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Eun Sol KimDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine.
Andreea WaltmannDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine.
Joseph A DuncanDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine.
Indriati Hood-PishchanyDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine.

Funding

CTSA K12 Program at UNCK12TR004416 · NCATS · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · PI Michelle Hernandez, Jonathan J Juliano · 2023 to 2026
$6.5M
Understanding pathogen and host determinants of the natural history of N. gonorrhoeae infectionR01AI176997 · NIAID · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · PI JOSEPH A DUNCAN · 2023 to 2026
$2.8M
NCATS NIH HHS K12 TR004416NIAID NIH HHS R01 AI176997
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purpose of reviewBacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal dysbiosis linked to increased risk of HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and adverse obstetric outcomes. Standard antibiotic therapy often induces symptom remission, but recurrence rates exceed 50% within 6 months. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent clinical trials that demonstrate improved outcomes when compared to treatment according to current management guidelines and outline potential future therapies. RECENT

findingsStrong evidence supporting transmission of bacteria associated with the dysbiotic state of BV between sexual partners has accumulated over time. A recent clinical study (StepUp) demonstrated overwhelming evidence that treating male partners with combined oral and topical antibiotics significantly reduces BV recurrence in their female partners, highlighting the role of sexual transmission. Recent guideline updates reflect these advances: the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists now advises partner therapy for recurrent BV, signaling a shift toward partner-inclusive management strategies. In parallel, live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) and vaginal microbiota transplantation (VMT) show promise in restoring a stable, Lactobacillus crispatus-dominant microbiome. Novel approaches targeting metabolic vulnerabilities of BV-associated bacteria and L. iners, and nonantibiotic agents like metastable iron sulfides are in early development. SUMMARY: Several advances in managing recurrent BV have shown promise in improving care of this condition. They represent a shift toward microbiome-informed, durable, and woman-controlled therapies. Strategies combining these along with continued development of promising novel approaches to treatment will be needed to optimize care of patients and reduce global BV burden.

Indexed as

Anti-Bacterial AgentsVaginosis, BacterialDysbiosisFemaleHumansMaleMicrobiotaSexual PartnersVaginaAnti-Bacterial Agentsbacterial vaginosisLactobacillusmale partner treatmentpenile microbiomerecurrencereinfection preventionsexual transmissionvaginal microbiome

Identifiers

PMID41452092
PMCPMC12839515

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.