摘要 |
The invention provides a method for treating and/or preventing vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, by administering xylitol to a subject in need of treatment. A composition containing xylitol for treating vaginal infections is also disclosed. It has been found that xylitol is capable of selectively inhibiting the growth of Gardnerella vaginalis, the main pathogen in bacterial vaginosis, while not inhibiting the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus, the dominant bacteria in a healthy vaginal ecosystem. Xylitol, a natural five-carbon sugar polyol, is safe and cost-effective, and can be used alone or incorporated into different vaginal health products to treat and/or prevent bacterial vaginosis.
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