Candida albicans vaccines: from cell wall architecture to protective immunity

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that colonizes the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and vaginal mucosa. Immunosuppression or increased fungal virulence permits extensive mucosal replication and tissue invasion, driving either recurrent superficial infection or life-threatening systemic disease. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is predominantly caused by. It substantially impairs quality of life in women of reproductive age. Although azoles such as fluconazole are effective, emerging resistance and frequent recurrence limit their long-term utility. These constraints highlight the urgent need for preventive strategies against VVC. This review summarizes the landscape of cell wall antigens and their immunobiology, identifies key translational barriers, and proposes targeted strategies to advance next-generation antifungal vaccines, thereby providing a reference for future vaccine development.