Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: An Overview of Mycological, Clinical, and Immunological Aspects Publisher Pubmed



Jafarzadeh L¹ ; Ranjbar M² ; Nazari T³ ; Naeimi Eshkaleti M^{4, 5} ; Aghaei Gharehbolagh S⁴ ; Sobel JD⁶ ; Mahmoudi S⁷
Source: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research Published:2022

Abstract

Aim: To provide an overview of clinical, immunological, and mycological aspects of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Methods: A literature search was conducted to find relevant articles about different aspects of VVC. Related data from retrieved articles were summarized in different headings. Results: VVC has a global distribution and Candida albicans is the leading cause of infection except for specific patient groups like postmenopausal, diabetic, or immunocompromised women. VVC has a range of clinical presentations, accordingly, its diagnosis should be based on clinical examination coupled with laboratory investigations. The best therapeutic regimen depends on the patient's conditions and the causative agent. Moreover, factors like drug resistance of the causative agents and different mutations in the immunity-related genes could affect the treatment outcome. Conclusion: As a globally distributed disease, VVC needs further attention, especially in areas related to the treatment failure and recurrence of the disease. © 2022 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.