Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Protocols for Vaginal Inoculation and Sample Collection in the Experimental Mouse Model of Candida vaginitis
07:57

Protocols for Vaginal Inoculation and Sample Collection in the Experimental Mouse Model of Candida vaginitis

Published on: December 8, 2011

Sexual transmission of Candida

B J Horowitz, S W Edelstein, L Lippman

    Obstetrics and Gynecology
    |June 1, 1987
    PubMed

    Insights

    Recurrent vulvovaginitis in women was linked to fungal reservoirs in oral cavities, rectums, and male ejaculate. Treating these sites and restricting sexual contact cured patients.

    Area of Science:

    • Mycology
    • Gynecology
    • Infectious Diseases

    Background:

    • Chronic recurrent vulvovaginitis significantly impacts women's health.
    • Identifying the source of persistent fungal infections is crucial for effective treatment.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate potential reservoirs of fungal infection in couples with recurrent vulvovaginitis.
    • To determine the correlation between fungal presence in various sites and vaginal infections.

    Main Methods:

    • Mycotic cultures were obtained from the oral cavity, rectum, vagina, and ejaculate of 33 couples.
    • Women in these couples had a diagnosis of chronic recurrent vulvovaginitis.
    • Fungal organisms were identified and compared between sites.

    Main Results:

    • Fungal reservoirs were identified in 36% of oral cavities, 33% of rectums, and 15% of ejaculates.
    • The same fungal species were often found in the identified reservoirs and the women's vaginas.
    • Male prostatic cultures were consistently negative.

    Conclusions:

    • Oral cavity, rectum, and ejaculate can serve as significant reservoirs for fungi causing recurrent vulvovaginitis.
    • Eliminating fungi from all identified reservoirs and managing sexual contact are key to curing recurrent vulvovaginitis.
    • A partner-inclusive approach is essential for managing this condition.

    More Related Videos

    A Catheter-Related Candida albicans Infection Model in Mouse03:24

    A Catheter-Related Candida albicans Infection Model in Mouse

    Published on: March 22, 2024

    Examination of Oral Candida Infection in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Patients05:26

    Examination of Oral Candida Infection in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Patients

    Published on: March 1, 2024

    Related Concept Videos

    Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

    Sexually Transmitted Infections

    Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
    Transmission of Pathogens01:24

    Transmission of Pathogens

    Pathogens spread from their reservoirs to susceptible hosts through three main routes: contact transmission, vehicle transmission, and vector transmission. Each route involves distinct mechanisms of transfer.Contact TransmissionThis category includes direct contact, indirect contact, and droplet transmission:Direct contact involves immediate physical interaction between individuals—such as a handshake—which can spread pathogens like Streptococcus pyogenes, the bacterium responsible for...
    Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

    Cryptococcal Meningitis

    Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
    Amebiasis01:28

    Amebiasis

    Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
    Candidiasis01:20

    Candidiasis

    Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
    Trichomoniasis01:18

    Trichomoniasis

    Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan parasite and the causative agent of trichomoniasis, one of the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infections in the United States. This extracellular parasite primarily colonizes the lower genitourinary tract in women—particularly the vagina—and in men, the urethra and prostate. Its structural and functional adaptations enable its survival, motility, and pathogenicity within the host environment.Structural Features and Host EntryT.