Is Topical Zinc Helpful for Managing Vulvovaginal Candidiasis?

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is common, uncomfortable, and often recurs after antifungal therapy. To better understand the pathobiology of VVC, investigators conducted a series of experiments in vitro and in mice. Candida albicans (the most common yeast that causes VVC) contains the PRA1 gene, the expression of which causes a pro-inflammatory response in the vaginal epithelium; the resulting influx of inflammatory cells and molecules causes the symptoms of VVC.

Deletion of PRA1 in C. albicans abrogated the inflammatory response in a mouse model of VVC. Because PRA1 is upregulated in response to zinc scarcity, exogenous provision of zinc prevented the inflammation associated with VVC in mice. In a pilot study involving 6 women with recurren…