TITLE:
Alpha Defensins Genes and Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Study of Cases
AUTHORS:
Humberto F. Boatto, Elaine C. Francisco, João P. Kleine, Ismael D. Silva, Manoel J. B. C. Girão, Alexandre P. Machado, Olga Fischman
KEYWORDS:
Alpha-Defensin Genes, Candida albicans, Non-Albicans Candida, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.5 No.9,
August
26,
2015
ABSTRACT: Objective: To evaluate the alpha-defensin (α-DF) genes polymorphism in women with vulvovaginal candidiasis and
recurrence. Methods: This observational study included clinical vaginal
secretion samples collected over four years from 88 women, ranging in age from
18 to 65 years, from medical centers of Sao Paulo and Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil.
Thirty-six of these women were asymptomatic (control group) and 52 presented
clinical condition compatible with vulvovaginitis (38 primary or episodic as
non-recurrent forms, and 14 recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis). A portion of
each sample was plated on Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and
grown on CHROMagar Candida for presumptive
characterization. The identification of the species was obtained by sequencing
of the ITS1 region of rDNA. α-DF
genes were amplified for subsequent evaluation of polymorphisms by endonuclease
restriction assay. Results: From 88 samples were isolated 60 Candida albicans and 28 non-albicans Candida spp. Resistant C.
albicans strains and non-albicans Candida spp. were more prevalent in
recurrence. In all groups, the number of resistant non-albicans Candida spp. was most high than susceptible strains. α-DF1, α-DF3 and α-DF1/α-DF3 genotypes were found in 32
(36.4%), 17 (19.3%), 6 (6.8%) vaginal samples, respectively. About 33 samples
were not amplified. Recurrence and severe disease were more observed in
homozygous population. Conclusions: Non-albicans Candida spp. and homozygotic α-DF genotipes (α-DF1 and α-DF3) were
more related with severe clinical signs and recurrence. Further studies about
vulvovaginal candidiasis and α-DF
genes are necessary to access the more comprehensive role of defensins in
clinical manifestations.