Levofloxacin Plus Metronidazole Suppositories Versus Levofloxacin Co-administered with Metronidazole Tablets for the Treatment of Chronic Endometritis: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Chronic endometritis (CE) is a pathological condition characterized by inflammation and destruction of the endometrium. In this disease state, microorganisms coexist with the host's immune system in a balanced manner. However, for the majority of patients with CE, clinical symptoms are nonspecific and atypical, rendering diagnosis based on clinical signs or blood tests unreliable. Consequently, invasive procedures such as histopathological examination of the endometrium or hysteroscopy are often necessary to establish a definitive diagnosis. The infiltration of plasma cells in the endometrial stroma associated with CE, together with increased production of immunoglobulins and pro-inflammatory cytokines, can reduce endometrial receptivity. This reduction in receptivity can lead to an increased risk of female infertility, lower pregnancy rates, and reduced live birth rates, which are linked to unexplained infertility, repeated failure of embryo implantation, and recurrent miscarriages. While the etiology of CE remains elusive, it is widely believed to be related to infection by pathogenic microorganisms such as Streptococcus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus , Klebsiella pneumoniae, Ureaplasma, and Mycoplasma, which can ascend from the vagina into the uterine cavity. Preliminary basic research by investigators also supports the notion that bacterial infections are a leading cause of endometritis. The mainstay of CE treatment currently involves oral antibiotics, with a common regimen being colabitux (500 mg once daily for 14 days) in combination with metronidazole (400 mg twice daily for 14 days). However, oral antibiotics can face issues such as drug resistance, suboptimal local concentrations of the drug, and a propensity to cause gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distension, and dermatological reactions like skin rashes and leukopenia, which can lead to treatment interruptions and reduced efficacy in managing chronic endometritis. Therefore, there is a need to explore methods to enhance the treatment success rate of CE. Metronidazole suppositories, composed primarily of metronidazole, are used vaginally to treat bacterial infections and other types of bacterial-induced vaginitis. Acting directly on the local area, these suppositories typically exhibit faster and more pronounced therapeutic effects without adversely affecting other tissues and organs. Given that the vagina is connected to the uterine cavity via the cervix, investigators hypothesized that local vaginal administration of the medication might be more effective. This approach not only achieves higher local concentrations of the drug in the uterine cavity, but also prevents ascending infection of vaginal bacteria.

In the prospective, randomized study conducted by investigators, the efficacy of levofloxacin plus metronidazole suppository versus levofloxacin co-administered with metronidazole tablets was compared in patients with chronic endometritis. By comparing the pregnancy outcomes of the two groups, the aim was to identify a superior treatment strategy, enhance treatment efficacy, and improve clinical outcomes.

Purpose The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of metronidazole therapy in enhancing treatment outcomes for chronic endometritis, with the aim of increasing clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in IVF procedures, reducing miscarriage rates, and thereby offering a safer and more effective treatment option for participants with chronic endometritis who are considering pregnancy.

Design This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial. Study Population

Inclusion Criteria: