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The effect of the probiotic supplement—ASTARTE™—on the reduction of recurrent urinary tract infection in women aged 18-40 years: protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

K. Ghathian, S. Halkjær, K. Krogfelt, N. Frimodt-Møller, Katrine Hartung Hansen, A. K. S. Frederiksen, A. Holm, A. Petersen

Trials, 2026

Abstract

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections, contributing to increased antibiotic consumption and high healthcare costs. Clinical studies suggest that probiotics can be effective dietary supplements reducing the risk factors for the development of infections in the intestine and vagina. In this study, we investigate the effect of the orally ingested probiotic combination ASTARTE™ on the composition of bacteria in vaginal and fecal samples, as well as on the occurrence of bacteriologically confirmed UTIs in women of reproductive age. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study evaluating the effect of the probiotic combination ASTARTE™ (Chr. Hansen A/S, Part of Novonesis Group, Denmark) on reducing the number of recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) in women aged 18–40 years. Participants are randomized (1:1) to receive one daily probiotic capsule (5 × 109 CFU) containing Lactobacillus crispatus LBV 88™ (DSM22566), Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LBV 96™ (DSM22560), Lactobacillus jensenii LBV 116™ (DSM22567), and Lactobacillus gasseri LBV 150N™ (DSM22583), or placebo, for 6 months. Assessments, including symptom questionnaires, urine culturing and microbiome analysis of vaginal and rectal samples by shotgun sequencing, are conducted at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 months. Compliance is tracked by unused capsule counts. Follow-up visits occur at 8, 10, and 12 months. The primary outcome is the incidence of symptomatic bacteriologically…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.

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