Alpha Defensins Genes and Vulvovaginal Candidiasis:A Study of Cases

Objective: To evaluate the alpha-defensin (α-DF) genes polymorphism in women with vulvovaginal candidiasis and recurrence. Methods: This observational study included clinical vaginal secretion samples collected over four years from 88 women, ranging in age from 18 to 65 years, from medical centers of Sao Paulo and Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil. Thirty-six of these women were asymptomatic (control group) and 52 presented clinical condition compatible with vulvovaginitis (38 primary or episodic as non-recurrent forms, and 14 recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis). A portion of each sample was plated on Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and grown on CHROMagar Candida for presumptive characterization. The identification of the species was obtained by sequencing of the ITS1 region of rDNA. α-DF genes were amplified for subsequent evaluation of polymorphisms by endonuclease restriction assay. Results: From 88 samples were isolated 60 Candida albicans and 28 non-albicans Candida spp. Resistant C. albicans strains and non-albicans Candida spp. were more prevalent in recurrence. In all groups, the number of resistant non-albicans Candida spp. was most high than susceptible strains. α-DF1, α-DF3 and α-DF1/α-DF3 genotypes were found in 32 (36.4%), 17 (19.3%), 6 (6.8%) vaginal samples, respectively. About 33 samples were not amplified. Recurrence and severe disease were more observed in homozygous population. Conclusions: Non-albicans Candida spp. and homozygotic α-DF genotipes (α-DF1 and α-DF3) were more related with severe clinical signs and recurrence. Further studies about vulvovaginal candidiasis and α-DF genes are necessary to access the more comprehensive role of defensins in clinical manifestations.

Features of vaginal bacteria community in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis

Objective To investigate the features of vaginal bacteria community in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis （R VVC） and its etiological risk in vaginal health. Methods Totally 237 reproductive-aged women with RVVC in an acute episode were studied. Whereas 230 healthy reproductive-aged women were enrolled as the control. The vaginal pH was evaluated, while vaginal secretions were sampled for Gram＇s staining and oilmicroscopy. By Nugent score system, the composition of vaginal communities was determined, and other micro-ecological features were approached. To describe other features of vaginal microbiota, the community＇s bacteria density, species diversity and predominant species were evaluated at 1 000 X magnification. Results The vaginal pH （4.53 ~ 0.30） and Nugent score （4.31 ___＋ O. 73） in RVVC group were significantly increased compared with vaginal pH （4.11 __＋ 0.30） and Nugent score （1.32 _＋ 1.29） in control group （P〈O.05, respectively）. The density of Lactoba- cillus in RVVC group was significantly lower than that in control group （P〈O.05）, while the densities of Gardnerella vaginalis, Gram-positive cocci and other species were significantly higher respectively than those in control group （P〈O. 05）. Species diversity of women with RVVC significantly exceeded that of control group （P〈O.05）. More than half of vaginal communities in R VVC group lost Lactobacillus-dominating and were predominated by other bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Gram-positive cocci. The prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis-dominating and Gram-positive cocci-domi- nating communities in RVVC group （37.55% and 19.83%） were significantly higher than those in control group （1.30% and 1.73%） （P〈0.05）. Conclusion The significant changes in vaginal bacterial community were observed in RVVC women. Such variations in community might relate to vaginal biological barrier compromising and increase the risk to the recurrence of VVC. It is still controversial whether probiotics can prevent recurrences of VVC, and more randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled trials with a larger sample size should be carried out, so as to clarify its effects for the prophylaxis of RVVC.