Local IL-23 Expression in Murine Vaginal Candidiasis and Its Relationship with Infection and Immune Status

To investigate the expression of vaginal IL-23 and its role in experimental murine vaginal candidiasis and its relationship with infection and immune status, immuno-competent （group A） and immuno-suppressed （group B） murine models of vaginal candidiasis were established in estrogentreated mice. Non-estrogen-treated mice were used as controls （group C）. The level of IL-23 p19 mRNA in murine vaginal tissue was determined by RT-PCR. Significantly increased levels of IL- 23p19mRNA were observed on the 4th, the 7th and 14th day after inoculation in immuno-competent group when compared with that in control group （P〈0.01, P〈0.05）, However, significant increase of IL-23 p19mRNA were only observed on the 7th day and the 14th day after inoculatuon in immuno-suppressed groups （P〈0. 05）. On the 4th and 7th day, the levels of IL-23 p19mRNA were significantly increased in immuno-competent group than those in immuno-suppressed group （P 〈0.05）. Local IL-23 may play a role in the pathogenesis of murine vaginal candidiasis and has a protective function during infection. Low vaginal IL-23 level may correlate with the increased susceptibility to Candida albicans in immuno-suppressed group.

Susceptibility to Vaginal Candidiasis under Different Conditions in Mice

In order to study the susceptibility of murine vaginal mucosa to Candida albicans under different conditions, vaginal lavage fluid and vaginal tissue of mice were observed and compared between murine models with normal immune system （estrogen-treated mice） and immunosuppressed murine model, and between primary infection model of vaginal candidiasis and secondary infection one. The average level of colony forming unit （CFU） from the immuosuppressed group was higher than that from estrogen-treated group at each time point and the peak time was delayed. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant （P〈0.05） from the fourth day after inoculation. A significant difference existed in the average level of CFU between the control group and the estrogen-treated group （P〈0.05）, and between the control group and the immuosuppressed group （P〈0.01）. It was concluded that the vaginal mucosa from the immunosuppressed mice is more susceptible to Candida albicans and no difference is found in susceptibility between mice with primary infection and secondary infection.

Genotype comparisons of strains of Candida albicans from patients with cutaneous candidiasis and vaginal candidiasis

Background It is uncertain whether genotypes of Candida albicans （C. albicans） are associated with colonizing body locations or variant conditions of infection. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are significant associations between strain genotypes and body sites of infection and to determine the potential pathogenesis of cutaneous candidiasis at multiple locations. Methods A total of 151 strains of C. albicans were isolated from 74 infant patients with cutaneous candidiasis and 61 female patients with vaginal candidiasis. Patients were grouped according to the body sites and underlying conditions of infection. Genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） of the 25S rDNA and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP） of ALT repeats digested with EcoRI and Clal. Results Ten genotypes were detected. There were significant differences in genotype frequencies between the two groups. However, we found no clear association between genotypes and the sites of cutaneous infection or the underlying conditions of vaginal candidiasis （VVC）. In addition, strains of C. albicans from multiple cutaneous locations of the same patient had identical genotypes. Conclusions Populations of C. albicans from patients with cutaneous and vaginal candidiasis were genetically different. However, the lack of genetic difference between strains from different body sites with cutaneous infections or from different underlying conditions for VVC suggests no evidence of genotype selection for different skin surfaces or patients with different underlying conditions for VVC.

A New In-Situ Gel Formulation of Itraconazole for Vaginal Administration

In this paper, mucoadhesive in-situ gel with poloxamer and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose formulations of itraconazole were prepared for vaginal application. In addition, rheological, mechanical and mucoadhesive properties and syringeability of the formulations were characterized. The mixtures of Poloxamer 407 and 188 with two different types of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose were used as polymers for gel formulations. Flow rheometry studies and oscillatory analysis of each formulation were performed at 20℃ ± 0.1℃ and 37℃ ± 0.1℃. All formulations exhibited pseudo-plastic flow and typical gel-type mechanical spectra (G′ > G″) after the determined frequency value at 37℃. Texture profile analysis presented that F3 formulation containing 20% poloxamer 407, 10% poloxamer 188 and 0.5% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose appeared to offer more suitable mechanical and mucoadhesive performance. Using different hydroxypropylmethylcellulose type in formulations didn’t significantly change syringeability values. The evaluation of the entire candidate formulations indicated that vaginal formulation of itraconazole will be an alternative for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis with suitable textural and rheological properties. Our results showed that the developed formulations were found worthy of further studies.