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Published on: November 17, 2018
Recurrent vulvovaginal Candida spp isolates phenotypically express less virulence traits.
Paula Faria-Gonçalves1, Joana Rolo2, Carlos Gaspar3
1CICS-UBI: Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; FCS: Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; FMUMN: Faculty of Medicine, University of Mandume ya Ndemufayo, Angola.
Recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis (RVVC) is linked to specific Candida traits. While biofilm formation and phospholipase production were similar between recurrent and non-recurrent cases, Candida albicans showed a greater ability to form germinative tubes in non-recurrent VVC.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Women's Health
Background:
- Vulvovaginal candidosis (VVC) affects women globally, with 5-8% experiencing recurrence.
- Recurrent VVC (RVVC) is defined as four or more episodes annually.
- The underlying causes of RVVC remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key phenotypic traits of Candida spp. associated with RVVC.
- To inform strategies for controlling RVVC.
Main Methods:
- Assessed biofilm formation using microtitration plates.
- Evaluated germinative tube development in fetal bovine serum.
- Determined phospholipase production via egg-yolk assays.
- Compared traits between Candida isolates from RVVC and non-recurrent VVC patients.
Main Results:
- Candida albicans isolates from non-recurrent VVC showed a significantly higher capacity for germinative tube formation compared to RVVC isolates (29% vs. 4%, p < 0.05).
- Biofilm formation (63% vs. 51%) and phospholipase production (13% vs. 11%) were higher in RVVC isolates, but differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Biofilm formation and germinative tube production in Candida albicans are crucial virulence factors in acute, sporadic VVC.
- These factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of non-recurrent VVC, warranting further investigation for RVVC.
