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Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: A dynamic interkingdom biofilm disease of candida and lactobacillus

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Christopher NileORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Abstract

© Crown copyright 2021.Despite the strikingly high worldwide prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), treatment options for recurrent VVC (RVVC) remain limited, with many women experiencing failed clinical treatment with frontline azoles. Further, the cause of onset and recurrence of disease is largely unknown, with few studies identifying potential mechanisms of treatment failure. This study aimed to assess a panel of clinical samples from healthy women and those with RVVC to investigate the influence of Candida, the vaginal microbiome, and how their interaction influences disease pathology. 16S rRNA sequencing characterized disease by a reduction in specific health-associated Lactobacillus species, such as Lactobacillus crispatus, coupled with an increase in Lactobacillus iners. In vitro analysis showed that Candida albicans clinical isolates are capable of heterogeneous biofilm formation, and we found the presence of hyphae and C. albicans aggregates in vaginal lavage fluid. Additionally, the ability of Lactobacillus to inhibit C. albicans biofilm formation and biofilm-related gene expression was demonstrated. Using RNA sequencing technology, we were able to identify a possible mechanism by which L. crispatus may contribute to re-establishing a healthy vaginal environment through amino acid acquisition from C. albicans. This study highlights the potential formation and impact of Candida biofilms in RVVC. Additionally, it suggests that RVVC is not entirely due to an arbitrary switch in C. albicans from commensal to pathogen and that understanding interactions between this yeast and vaginal Lactobacillus species may be crucial to elucidating the cause of RVVC and developing appropriate therapies.

Publication metadata

Author(s): McKloud E, Delaney C, Sherry L, Kean R, Williams S, Metcalfe R, Thomas R, Richardson R, Gerasimidis K, Nile CJ, Williams C, Ramage G

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: mSystems

Year: 2021

Volume: 6

Issue: 4

Print publication date: 01/07/2021

Online publication date: 10/08/2021

Acceptance date: 23/07/2021

Date deposited: 26/08/2021

ISSN (electronic): 2379-5077

Publisher: American Society for Microbiology

URL: https://doi.org/10.1128/mSystems.00622-21

DOI: 10.1128/mSystems.00622-21

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