Abstract

Candida vulvovaginitis is caused by Candida albicans or, occasionally, by other Candida species, Toruopsis species (also known as Candida glabrata), or other yeasts. An estimated 75% of women have at least one episode of Candida vulvovaginitis, and 40~45% have two or more episodes. Asmall percentage of women (less than 5%) experience recurrence. Typical symptoms of Candida vulvovaginitis include pruritus and vaginal discharge. Other symptoms may include vaginal soreness, vulvar burning, dyspareunia, and external dysuria. Candida vulvovaginitis is often associated with the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, pregnancy, low vaginal pH, and diabetes mellitus. Sexual activity and oral contraception may also be contributing factors. In healthy individuals, Candida species usually remain superficial and respond readily to treatment. The infection by these species depends upon the immune status, as well as the normal vaginal flora status, of the potential host.

Keywords

Candida Epidemiology Pathogenesis Vulvovaginitis

KJMM 1999 December;4(2):91-97(7). Epub 2016 February 23
Copyright © 1999 by Korean Journal of Medical Mycology

Language

English

Author

Sang-Tae Kim; P and RS / R and CD Department, Procter and Gamble Far East, Inc., Japan

Corresponding

Sang-Tae Kim, P and RS / R and CD Department, Procter and Gamble Far East, Inc. 17, Koyo-cho Naka 1-chome, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658 Japan.

Publication history

Acknowledgements

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Sang-Tae Kim

P and RS / R and CD Department, Procter and Gamble Far East, Inc., Japan

Since epub date 2016 February 23