Research Article: Enhancing Immunity and Modulating Vaginal Microflora Against Candidal Vaginitis Through Nanoemulsion Supplemented with Porphyra Oligosaccharide as an Intravaginal Vaccine Adjuvant
Abstract:
Candida albicans commonly coexists as an opportunistic pathogen in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary tract. In an immunocompromised host, C. albicans could cause mucosal infections, such as oral and vaginal infection, and even systemic infection. About , cases of Candida systemic infection occur in the United States per year, and the fatality rate is as high as %. Most of the conventional treatments for C. albicans infection are oral or topical administration of antifungal azole drugs. However, fluconazole-resistant C. albicans strains have been isolated and identified. Normally, the protective function of the mucosal epithelium involves creating a physical barrier to hinder the entry of Candida. However, Candida has the ability to breach this barrier either through triggering endocytosis or actively invading the epithelial cells. In response to the presence of Candida hyphae, the epithelial cells release cytokines to attract phagocytes to phagocytize and eliminate Candida. Concurrently, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-? and IL-, produced by macrophages and epithelial cells trigger the recruitment and infiltration of neutrophils. Dendritic cells also play a role by migrating to the lymph nodes and contributing to the development of adaptive T helper (Th) cell responses. Th cells are particularly crucial in defending against Candida in mucosal tissues by producing IL-, which recruits and activates neutrophils. Additionally, Th cells release IFN-?, which strongly activates phagocytic cells.
Introduction:
Candida albicans commonly coexists as an opportunistic pathogen in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary tract. In an immunocompromised host, C. albicans could cause mucosal infections, such as oral and vaginal infection, and even systemic infection. About , cases of Candida systemic infection occur in the United States per year, and the fatality rate is as high as %. Most of the conventional treatments for C. albicans infection are oral or topical administration of antifungal azole drugs.…
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