Virulence factors associated with Candida albicans infection in patients with Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

ANGIOLINI, SOFIA CARLA; RODRIGUEZ, EMILSE; CASTILLO, GRACIELA DEL VALLE; MIRÓ, MARÍA SOLEDAD; ICELY, PAULA ALEJANDRA; CAEIRO, JUAN PABLO; SOTOMAYOR, CLAUDIA ELENA

Córdoba

Congreso; XIX Forum on Fungal Infection in the Clinical Practice, INFOCUS 2021; 2021

INFOCUS and ISHAM

Recurrent mucosal fungal infections in humans emerge associated with host predisposing factors, intrinsic characteristics of the pathogen, and ineffective antifungal therapies. Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC), is an acute inflammatory disease, and a frequent reason for gynecological consultation that affects up to 75% of women of childbearing age once in their life, but 9% of women undergo a recurrent form of mycosis with at least four episodes per year, defined as RVVC. C. albicans is the most prevalent agent, as part of the vaginal microbiome can begin the yeast-hyphae transition to establish the infection. This morphotype change is regulated by a complex network of sensor elements of the microenvironment and is coupled to regulatory transcription factors that code for the formation of the hypha, the production of adhesins, the generation of hydrolytic enzymes, and factors associated with the biofilm formation. These attributes of virulence are relevant for the outcome of infection.