Dual probiotic and antibiotic therapy targeting bacterial vaginosis: An integrated experimental/computational modeling perspective

作者：Bassam Fotouh, Anthony J. Kyser, Mohamed Y. Mahmoud, Hermann B. Frieboes · 发表于：Biomedical Engineering Advances · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.bea.2025.100163 · 被引用次数：6 · 研究领域：Reproductive tract infections research、Reproductive Physiology in Livestock、Urinary Tract Infections Management

A novel strategy delivering both metronidazole and L. crispatus via 3D-printed scaffolds was recently shown to target pathogens in bacterial vaginosis (BV) while promoting beneficial microflora with sustained probiotic release, with the objective to facilitate user treatment adherence. This study developed an integrated experimental/computational platform to evaluate dual therapeutic strategy efficacy over a wide range of system dynamics, towards the goal of personalized therapy design. Experiments evaluated Gardnerella and L. crispatus interactions under controlled glucose concentrations in vitro , including bacterial growth, glucose consumption, lactic acid production, and pH. These data informed parameters of a novel computational model simulating the vagina, incorporating nutrient dynamics, bacterial interactions, and dual release of antibiotics and probiotics from 3D-printed scaffolds. Efficacy of varying concentrations of antibiotics and probiotics was assessed via sensitivity analyses. Experimental results demonstrate that L. crispatus outcompetes Gardnerella at lower glucose concentrations, while Gardnerella dominates at higher glucose levels. The computational model replicated these dynamics and projected that dual therapy could significantly suppress Gardnerella while promoting L. crispatus , even at lower drug dosages and probiotic CFU counts. Results were validated against data from 3D-printed dual release scaffolds. Simulated dual treatment enhanced lactic acid p...