Beta Glucan for the Treatment Of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) and Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (RVVC)

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is one of the most common infections in women. It is one of the most common fungal infections with Candida albicans (C. albicans) as the major causative agent in humans. C. albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen and a normal colonizer of the intestinal mucosa, oral cavity, and vulvovaginal tract [1]. Overgrowth of the fungus followed by epithelial invasion and immune cell infiltration leads to inflammatory symptoms such as vaginal itching, burning, and pain. These clinical representations reduce the quality of life and cause high costs in the global health system [2]. It is known that the fungus-glucan is highly immunoreactive [3] and that β-glucan masking by mannan can inhibit the recognition and killing of fungi by macrophages [4-6]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of β- glucan to protect against C. albicans vaginal infection.