Study On The Pathogenesis Of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a very common condition in women and the incidence of WC has markedly increased over the last decades. Most women will experience at least one episode during their reproductive years. Moreover, 5% of women suffered from RWC (Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis was defined when a fourth onset of vaginitis was diagnosed in a year period). The majority of the women who suffered from candidiasis would consult the doctors due to the distinctive signs and discomforts, which can significantly affect their quality of life and their sexual health, especially in the women suffered from RWC which was refractory to the treatment and with higher recurrency. In some conditions the women suffered from candidiasis would transmit the disease to their sexual partners or their newborne babies. Moreover, 25%~40% of the asymptomatic patients would have the positive culture of the Candida. Therefore, it is essential to enhance the level of the clinical diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis based on the pathogenesis of the WC. In this study we have researched on the pathogenesis of the WC.The pathogenesis of vulvovaginal candidiasis is involved in both pathogen and host. It includes the epidemiology of pathogen, virulence, antifungal susceptibility and the predisposing factors on the host. In this study, we investigated the pathogenesis of vulvovaginal candidiasis giving attention to the both aspects.We compared the spectrum of pathogen, antifungal susceptibility, genotypes of Candida species and the expression of virulence factors —secreted aspartyl proteinases (SAPs) in vivo among isolates of C. albicans from RWC, WC patients and carriers. My investigations are composed of five parts. Part Ⅰ. The multifactor analysis of predisposing factors of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis.We know several exogenous factors, such as pregnancy, oral contraceptives, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, and antibiotics, have associations with the recurrence of WC. To study the prediposing factors of vulvovaginal candidiasis in women, a survey...