Vulvovaginal Candida albicans infections: pathogenesis, immunity and vaccine prospects

Abstract

Although a number of fungal species belonging to the genus Candida can cause acute vulvovaginal infection (VVC), Candida albicans is by far the most prevalent etiological agent, particularly for the most severe chronic condition known as recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). This review focuses on recent advances in pathogenic mechanisms and host immune responses to C. albicans and on the utilisation of this information in the development of a vaccine to prevent and/or treat vaginal candidiasis. Currently, two vaccines with main or sole RVVC as clinical indication have completed a phase 1 clinical trial, and one of them has entered a phase 2 trial.

Effects of Miana (Coleus scutellariodes (L) Benth) to Expression of mRNA IL-37 in Balb/c Mice Infected Candida albicans

“…albicans is a major cause of vulvovaginitis, which is associated with the loss of acidity in the female genital area. 13 The main source of this fungus is the normal flora in the human body and infection is often linked to immunosuppression. 14 In immunosuppressed patients, an increased incidence of fungal species can lead to fungemia.…”

Immune Response, Detection of IgE and PGE2 during Vaginal Candidiasis in Mice

“…In this case, these treatments don't affect directly the PMNs or mast cell migration and mediator secretion, but these drugs interfere on the development, affecting the biosynthesis of ergosterol. Thus, with the decrease of pathogen number, the local immune response decreases too, restoring the balance of the vaginal flora (Cassone, 2015).…”

The clinical efficacy of fluconazole in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis

“…Стенка клетки кандида содержит фосфолипазу, которая способствует проникновению гриба в эпители-альную клетку [9]. При гистологическом исследовании биопсированных кусочков слизистой обнаружено глубо-кое проникновение грибов и размножение их как в поверхностных и промежуточных, так и в базальных клетках эпителиального слоя [10]. Однако следует отме-тить, что грибы рода С. albicans могут находиться во влагалище здоровых женщин (кандидоносительство) [11] и при определенных условиях под действием экзо-и/или эндогенных факторов становятся патогенными, вызывая заболевание.…”