Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Current Understanding and Burning Questions
<i>Candida albicans</i>, along with other closely related <i>Candida</i> species, are the primary causative agents of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC)—a multifactorial infectious disease of the lower female reproductive tract resulting in pathologic inflammation. Unli...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2020-02-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Fungi |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/6/1/27 |
| _version_ | 1818195944982708224 |
|---|---|
| author | Hubertine M.E. Willems Salman S. Ahmed Junyan Liu Zhenbo Xu Brian M. Peters |
| author_facet | Hubertine M.E. Willems Salman S. Ahmed Junyan Liu Zhenbo Xu Brian M. Peters |
| author_sort | Hubertine M.E. Willems |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Candida albicans</i>, along with other closely related <i>Candida</i> species, are the primary causative agents of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC)—a multifactorial infectious disease of the lower female reproductive tract resulting in pathologic inflammation. Unlike other forms of candidiasis, VVC is a disease of immunocompetent and otherwise healthy women, most predominant during their child-bearing years. While VVC is non-lethal, its high global incidence and profound negative impact on quality-of-life necessitates further understanding of the host and fungal factors that drive disease pathogenesis. In this review, we cover the current state of our understanding of the epidemiology, host response, fungal pathogenicity mechanisms, impact of the microbiome, and novel approaches to treatment of this most prevalent human candidal infection. We also offer insight into the latest advancements in the VVC field and identify important questions that still remain. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T01:26:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8db258a38532433cab275378e123f19a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2309-608X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T01:26:14Z |
| publishDate | 2020-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Fungi |
| spelling | doaj.art-8db258a38532433cab275378e123f19a2022-12-22T00:43:06ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2020-02-01612710.3390/jof6010027jof6010027Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Current Understanding and Burning QuestionsHubertine M.E. Willems0Salman S. Ahmed1Junyan Liu2Zhenbo Xu3Brian M. Peters4Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USASchool of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, ChinaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USADepartment of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USADepartment of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA<i>Candida albicans</i>, along with other closely related <i>Candida</i> species, are the primary causative agents of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC)—a multifactorial infectious disease of the lower female reproductive tract resulting in pathologic inflammation. Unlike other forms of candidiasis, VVC is a disease of immunocompetent and otherwise healthy women, most predominant during their child-bearing years. While VVC is non-lethal, its high global incidence and profound negative impact on quality-of-life necessitates further understanding of the host and fungal factors that drive disease pathogenesis. In this review, we cover the current state of our understanding of the epidemiology, host response, fungal pathogenicity mechanisms, impact of the microbiome, and novel approaches to treatment of this most prevalent human candidal infection. We also offer insight into the latest advancements in the VVC field and identify important questions that still remain.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/6/1/27vaginitisvulvovaginal<i>candida</i>vaginavvcfungalcandidiasis |
| spellingShingle | Hubertine M.E. Willems Salman S. Ahmed Junyan Liu Zhenbo Xu Brian M. Peters Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Current Understanding and Burning Questions Journal of Fungi vaginitis vulvovaginal <i>candida</i> vagina vvc fungal candidiasis |
| title | Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Current Understanding and Burning Questions |
| title_full | Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Current Understanding and Burning Questions |
| title_fullStr | Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Current Understanding and Burning Questions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Current Understanding and Burning Questions |
| title_short | Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Current Understanding and Burning Questions |
| title_sort | vulvovaginal candidiasis a current understanding and burning questions |
| topic | vaginitis vulvovaginal <i>candida</i> vagina vvc fungal candidiasis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/6/1/27 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hubertinemewillems vulvovaginalcandidiasisacurrentunderstandingandburningquestions AT salmansahmed vulvovaginalcandidiasisacurrentunderstandingandburningquestions AT junyanliu vulvovaginalcandidiasisacurrentunderstandingandburningquestions AT zhenboxu vulvovaginalcandidiasisacurrentunderstandingandburningquestions AT brianmpeters vulvovaginalcandidiasisacurrentunderstandingandburningquestions |