The use of probiotics in the prevention or treatment of some vaginal infections has been the subject of numerous studies. To assess the presence of Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus (LCR35) in the vagina after an oral administration, an open randomised pilot study was conducted on 20 healthy women of child-bearing age. Materials and Methods. 2 groups of 10 women were given a 28-day oral course, that is, at least 108？CFU/day (group 1) or ？CFU/day (group 2) of LCR35. Nugent score and vaginal screening for LCR35 were undertaken before and after 28 days of treatment. Results. The mean Nugent score decreased in group 1 (？0,2) as well as in group 2 (？0,3). 10% of women in group 1 versus 40% of women in group 2 were carrying LCR35 at the end of the trial. Conclusion. LCR35, at the minimal dose of 2 × 108？CFU/day, can return the Nugent score to normal in healthy women of child-bearing age, by means of a well-tolerated vaginal temporary presence. Phase III clinical trials will specify the preventive or curative impact of this orally administered strain on a range of vaginal disorders such as bacterial vaginosis or vulvovaginal candidiasis. 1. Introduction Lactobacilli play a fundamental role in the ecological balance of the vagina. Many vaginal infections result from the disappearance or the quantitative or qualitative decrease in lactobacilli naturally present in the vagina. This is particularly true with bacterial vaginosis (BV), one of the most common vaginal infections estimated to have a prevalence between 15% and 30% [1]. Over the last few years, studies have been conducted to assess the usefulness of probiotics to treat or prevent vaginal infections such as BV or vaginal candidiasis. The clinical results differ widely because of the range of probiotics used, the routes of administration of probiotics (oral or vaginal), the duration of treatment and the cohorts studied. Among the points requiring clarification are the type of lactobacilli used in the probiotic preparations and the route of administration (oral or vaginal). Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus LCR35 (LCR35) has shown in vitro that it has the required characteristics for vaginal colonization [2]:(i)proven fast adherence (one hour) to the vaginal wall, and(ii)prevention of growth of potential pathogens such as Prevotella bivia, Gardnerella vaginalis, and Candida albicans from the 4th hour after incubation [2]. About the route of administration, an oral preparation seems to be interesting since studies have shown that the rectum was the natural reservoir for commensal vaginal lactobacilli [3, 4]. An open
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