Vaginal yeast adherence to the combined contraceptive vaginal ring (CCVR)☆
Received 5 February 2007; received in revised form 4 June 2007; accepted 13 July 2007. published online 22 October 2007.
Abstract
Background
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro adherence of different yeasts, isolated from vaginal exudates of patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), to the combined contraceptive vaginal ring — NuvaRing®.
Study Design
Four isolates of Candida sp. and one isolate of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used. Adherence assays were carried out through colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL), radiolabeled quantification and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the ring, and the cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) of the yeasts was determined.
Results
All the yeasts were capable of adhering to the vaginal ring, as determined by CFU/mL and in the radiolabeled assay. CSH was compatible with the adherence by CFU/mL.
Conclusion
SEM proved the adhesion, which was different between Candida albicans and C. tropicalis. The adherence of the tested yeasts to the ring could potentially facilitate the development of VVC and recurrent VVC in susceptible patients using this contraceptive method.
aDepartment of Clinical Analysis, Division of Medical Mycology, Teaching and Research in Clinical Analysis Laboratory, State University of Maringá, 87020-900 Paraná, Brazil
bDepartment of Clinical Analysis, Division of Clinical Cytology, Teaching and Research in Clinical Analysis Laboratory, State University of Maringá, 87020-900 Paraná, Brazil
cDepartment of Cellular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, 81531-900 Curitiba, Brazil
dDepartment of Dentistry, State University of Maringá, 87020-900 Paraná, Brazil
Corresponding author. Departamento de Análises Clínicas — DAC, Laboratório de Ensino e Pesquisa em Análises Clínicas — LEPAC, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco J90, sala 11, Maringá, Paraná, CEP: 87020-900, Brazil. Tel.: +55 44 3261 4809; fax: +55 3261 4860.
☆ This study was supported by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (No. 474542/2003-3).
ABSTRACT