A vaginal ring releasing Lactobacillus‚ sucrose, and metronidazole for management of bacterial vaginosis

  • Caixuan Wang

Student thesis: Doctoral ThesisDoctor of Philosophy

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common lower genital tract disorder among women of reproductive age and associated with significant public health concerns. The aim of this PhD project is to develop a matrix-type vaginal ring that can provide sustained release of MET and lyophilized Loctoboclllus powder (containing one Loctobacillus strain and a lyoprotectant) to treat and prevent BV. The study demonstrated the feasibility of manufacturing matrix-type rings capable of simultaneously releasing lactobacillus, sucrose, and MET, and identified the optimal formulation that ensures the release amount of both Lactobocillus and MET. The experimental results obtained to date are encouraging and support further development of a prototype vaginal ring, SIL4-MS-SLQ20, to manage BV. 

Thesis is embargoed until 31 July 2030.
Date of AwardJul 2025
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Queen's University Belfast
SupervisorKarl Malcolm (Supervisor), Vicky Kett (Supervisor) & Deirdre Gilpin (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • vaginal ring
  • bacterial vaginosis
  • Lactobacillus
  • metronidazole
  • lyoprotectant

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