Vaginal yeast adherence to the combined contraceptive vaginal ring (CCVR).
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Department of Clinical Analysis, Division of Medical Mycology, Teaching and Research in Clinical Analysis Laboratory, State University of Maringá, 87020-900 Paraná, Brazil.
Daiane Pereira
DP
Camacho
Márcia E L
ME
Consolaro
Eliana Valéria
EV
Patussi
Lucélia
L
Donatti
André
A
Gasparetto
Terezinha I E
TI
Svidzinski
D018441:Biofilms; D002175:Candida / Q000502:physiology*; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000382:microbiology; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female / Q000382:microbiology*; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000502:physiology*
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004338:Drug Combinations; C516519:NuvaRing; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D017135:Desogestrel