A genetic fungal risk factor
Although a number of women experience recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), it is not well understood why they are prone to frequent infections. In addition, antifungals used to treat isolated infections can be inadequate in the recurrent setting, heightening the need to understand the etiology of RVVC. Jaeger et al. found that a polymorphism in lectin SIGLEC15 associated with recurrent candidiasis in two independent patient cohorts. Stimulation with Candida albicans increased SIGLEC15 expression and altered T cell cytokine production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in a mouse model of RVVC. This work suggests that the SIGLEC15 variant leads to an altered immune response in patients with RVVC.
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