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Fungi in Vulvovaginal Infections
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Fungi in Vulvovaginal Infections

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungal Pathogenesis and Disease Control".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 4881

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jose Martinez-de-Oliveira

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Guest Editor
CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
Interests: antimicrobials; obstetrics; infectious diseases; yeasts; medical microbiology
Dr. ‪Joana Rolo‬

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
CICS-UBI Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
Interests: vulvovaginal; essential oils; yeast; virulence; resistance; recurrence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Candida spp. are ubiquitous. They live on the skin and inside the body in the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina, without causing any problems. However, Candida spp. can become pathogenic. Vulvovaginal Candidosis (VVC) is just one example; changes inside the vagina encourage yeast growth and aggressiveness and/or decrease the host’s defenses. VVC usually is caused by Candida albicans, but can occasionally be caused by other Candida species or yeasts.

This Special Issue covers the latest findings on Vulvovaginal Candidosis. Original research articles and reviews are welcome.

Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Updated taxonomy and nomenclature;
  • Virulence markers;
  • Diagnosis;
  • Clinical data;
  • Advances in pharmacologic treatment;
  • Alternative and complementary approaches;
  • Preventive measures.

We invite relevant researchers to contribute to this Special Issue.

Dr. Jose Martinez-de-Oliveira
Dr. Joana Rolo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Vulvovaginal Candidosis
  • Candida
  • pathogenic yeasts
  • molecular analysis
  • fungal pathogenesis

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1295 KiB  
Article
Vaginal Clinical Isolates of Candida albicans Differentially Modulate Complosome Activation in Vaginal Epithelial Cells
by Samyr Kenno, Natalia Pedretti, Luca Spaggiari, Andrea Ardizzoni, Manola Comar, Wilfried Posch, Robert Treyde Wheeler, Samuele Peppoloni and Eva Pericolini
J. Fungi 2025, 11(7), 501; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11070501 - 3 Jul 2025
Abstract
The complosome controls different activities in innate immune cells and epithelial cells; however, its role in the response of VECs to Candida remains untested. In this in vitro study, we compared two clinical vaginal strains of C. albicans, namely, a Colonizing strain [...] Read more.
The complosome controls different activities in innate immune cells and epithelial cells; however, its role in the response of VECs to Candida remains untested. In this in vitro study, we compared two clinical vaginal strains of C. albicans, namely, a Colonizing strain from a healthy woman and a strain from a patient with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), for their ability to activate the complosome and release anaphylatoxins in vaginal epithelial cells (VECs). Our results show the following: (i) both strains triggered the cleavage of C3 into C3a and C3b within VECs, while infection with the Colonizing strain led to greater release of the anaphylatoxin C3a; (ii) infection with the VVC isolate led to a strong reduction in both C5 and C5a in VECs, while no increase in C5a release was observed after infection with either strain; (iii) cathepsin-family gene expression and cathepsin D activity were reduced in VECs infected with the VVC strain but not in those infected with the Colonizing strain; (iv) infection with the Colonizing strain induced a significant increase in intracellular C5aR1 while intracellular C3aR levels remained unchanged. Collectively, our data suggests the propensity of this VVC strain to inactivate the C5/C5aR1 axis and to reduce the C3/C3aR axis, dampening the activity of the complosome in VECs. These effects exerted by the VVC strain suggest a novel strategy of immune evasion by C. albicans and may open new perspectives for finding new therapeutic targets against vaginal fungal infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi in Vulvovaginal Infections)
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14 pages, 2515 KiB  
Article
Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Candida albicans Isolates from Mexican Women with Vulvovaginitis
by Hugo Díaz-Huerta, Eduardo García-Salazar, Xóchitl Ramírez-Magaña, Erick Martínez-Herrera, Rodolfo Pinto-Almazán, Paola Betancourt-Cisneros, Esperanza Duarte-Escalante, María del Rocío Reyes-Montes, Rigberto Hernández-Castro and María Guadalupe Frías-De-León
J. Fungi 2025, 11(5), 354; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11050354 - 2 May 2025
Viewed by 439
Abstract
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an opportunistic mycosis that affects women of reproductive age. The most frequent etiological agent is Candida albicans. The development of VVC depends on factors related to the host and the fungus. Among the factors related to Candida spp. [...] Read more.
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an opportunistic mycosis that affects women of reproductive age. The most frequent etiological agent is Candida albicans. The development of VVC depends on factors related to the host and the fungus. Among the factors related to Candida spp. are virulence factors, but genotype may also be involved. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ABC genotypes and extracellular hydrolytic enzyme production in C. albicans isolates obtained from Mexican women with vulvovaginitis to determine if there is a correlation between these characteristics that allows the fungus to invade and cause damage to the host. Forty-three yeast isolates were obtained from vaginal exudates from women with symptoms of infection. The isolates were identified by germ tube tests and by Cand PCR. The ABC genotype of the isolates identified as C. albicans was determined through the isolates’ DNA amplification using the oligonucleotides CA-INT-R and CA-INT-L. The activity of esterase, phospholipase, proteinase, and hemolysin was evaluated in specific culture media. The correlation between extracellular enzyme production and genotype was analyzed using a two-way ANOVA and the Sidak comparison test. A total of 57.5% of the yeast isolates were identified as C. albicans. The genotypes identified were A (82.6%) and B (17.4%). The activity of esterase, phospholipase, proteinase, and hemolysin was very strong. No statistically significant difference was found between enzyme production and genotypes. In conclusion, genotype A predominates among C. albicans vaginal isolates. The production of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes was widely expressed in C. albicans vaginal isolates, but no correlation with genotype was found. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi in Vulvovaginal Infections)
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18 pages, 2907 KiB  
Article
The Biotherapeutic Potential of a Novel Probiotic Kluyveromyces marxianus Isolated from a Sourdough Starter Against Vaginal Candida albicans Strains
by Annalisa Buonanno, Marianna Imparato, Angela Maione, Federica Carraturo, Emilia Galdiero, Marco Guida and Elisabetta de Alteriis
J. Fungi 2025, 11(2), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11020147 - 14 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1030
Abstract
There is an increasing interest in yeasts isolated from natural sources to be used as probiotics. Saccharomyces-based probiotics have been proposed as a valid alternative to the conventional drug therapy for the prevention and treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis, also considering the resistance [...] Read more.
There is an increasing interest in yeasts isolated from natural sources to be used as probiotics. Saccharomyces-based probiotics have been proposed as a valid alternative to the conventional drug therapy for the prevention and treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis, also considering the resistance of some Candida strains to many antifungals. Here, we isolated from an artisanal sourdough a new yeast strain which was identified as Kluyveromyces marxianus and assessed its probiotic and safety properties, which resulted in comparable properties to all those exhibited by the commercial probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii. Then, we checked the antagonistic activity of the new isolate against some clinical fluconazole resistant C. albicans strains, showing its ability to inhibit filamentation, biofilm formation, and the adhesion of C. albicans to vaginal epithelial A-431 cells. Also, K. marxianus reduced the cell damage provoked by C. albicans and the expression of SAP2 and SAP6 genes. On the whole, our results enlarge the spectrum of the beneficial properties of the food-grade yeast K. marxianus showing for the first time its biotherapeutic potential against C. albicans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi in Vulvovaginal Infections)
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16 pages, 3232 KiB  
Article
Dual Mechanisms of Action: Anti-Candida and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Lactobacillus Fermentation Broth in Treating Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
by Huann-Cheng Horng, Jin-Wei Xu, Yi-Shan Kuo, Yu-Sin Chen, Yu-Hsuan Chiu, Kuan-Hao Tsui and Yu-Tang Tung
J. Fungi 2025, 11(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11010018 - 30 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1425
Abstract
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), a condition predominantly caused by Candida albicans, affects millions of women worldwide, prompting the need for alternative treatments due to the side effects and increasing resistance associated with conventional imidazole antifungals. This study investigated VAGINNE®, a novel [...] Read more.
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), a condition predominantly caused by Candida albicans, affects millions of women worldwide, prompting the need for alternative treatments due to the side effects and increasing resistance associated with conventional imidazole antifungals. This study investigated VAGINNE®, a novel fermentation broth derived from Lactobacillus species, as a potential VVC treatment. Using a BALB/c mouse model of C. albicans infection, we evaluated VAGINNE®’s effects on vaginal microbiome composition, inflammatory markers, and tissue integrity. Our findings revealed that VAGINNE® treatment enhanced the growth of beneficial Lactobacillus species while suppressing C. albicans proliferation, leading to a more balanced vaginal microbiome. Additionally, VAGINNE® significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17A, IL-22, IL-23) in vaginal tissues and systemic inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β) in plasma. Histological analysis showed minimal fungal invasion and preserved vaginal epithelial integrity in VAGINNE®-treated mice compared to untreated controls. These results suggest that VAGINNE® could serve as an effective anti-Candida and anti-inflammatory agent for managing VVC, offering a promising alternative to traditional antifungal treatments. By promoting a healthy vaginal microbiome, reducing inflammation, and maintaining tissue health, this probiotic-based approach presents a novel strategy for addressing VVC, particularly in cases of drug resistance or adverse reactions to standard therapies. This study underscores the potential of microbiome-modulating strategies in managing vaginal infections, paving the way for more targeted and side-effect-free VVC treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi in Vulvovaginal Infections)
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9 pages, 594 KiB  
Communication
Plasma Inflammatory Proteome Profile in a Cohort of Patients with Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Kenya
by Diletta Rosati, Isis Ricaño Ponce, Gloria S. Omosa-Manyonyi, Mariolina Bruno, Nelly W. Kamau, Martin Jaeger, Vinod Kumar, Mihai G. Netea, Andre J. A. M. van der Ven and Jaap ten Oever
J. Fungi 2024, 10(9), 638; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10090638 - 6 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1348
Abstract
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) affects up to 75% of women at least once during their lifetime, and up to 8% of women suffer from frequent recurrent episodes of VVC (RVVC). A lack of a protective host response underlies vaginal Candida infections, while a dysregulated [...] Read more.
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) affects up to 75% of women at least once during their lifetime, and up to 8% of women suffer from frequent recurrent episodes of VVC (RVVC). A lack of a protective host response underlies vaginal Candida infections, while a dysregulated hyperinflammatory response may drive RVVC. This study aimed to investigate the systemic inflammatory protein profile in women with RVVC in an African population, considering the potential influence of hormonal contraceptive use on systemic inflammation. Using multiplex Proximity Extension Assay technology, we measured 92 circulatory inflammatory proteins in plasma samples from 158 RVVC patients and 92 asymptomatic women (controls). Hormonal contraceptive use was not found to have a statistically significant correlation with a systemic inflammatory protein profile in either RVVC patients or the asymptomatic women. RVVC women had lower circulating Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF-21) concentrations compared with healthy controls (adjusted p value = 0.028). Reduced concentrations of FGF-21 may be linked to the immune pathology observed in RVVC cases through IL-1β. This study may help to identify new biomarkers for the diagnosis and future development of novel immunomodulatory treatments for RVVC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungi in Vulvovaginal Infections)
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