The use of a probiotic to treat bacterial vaginosis and augment IVF pregnancy rates.

INTERVENTION: Women identified to have bacterial vaginosis will be administered a single 2 gm oral dose of the antibiotic Tinidazole, followed by a 4 week course of oral probiotic (2 capsules daily‐ total dose 4.6 Billion organisms Lactobacillus per day). CONDITION: bacterial vaginosis In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) infertility PRIMARY OUTCOME: Cure of bacterial vaginosis as assessed by established clinical (Amsel) and laboratory (Nugent score) criteria. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Biochemical pregnancy rate (proportion of embryo transferes resulting in a positive serum bHCG result) Concentration of bacterial vaginosis related endotoxins washed off the surface of the embryo transfer catheter after completion of the embryo transfer. Endotoxin will be quantified by the Endosafe‐PTS assay system (Charles River, USA). miscarriage rate Viable clinical pregnancy rate (proportion of transfered embryos that result in a viable fetal heart pulsation on ultrasound scan). INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Presence of bacterial vaginosis infection on clinical examination and Nugent score assessment. 2. Undergoing a frozen embryo (vitrification) transfer cycle of IVF treatment