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

BackgroundThe 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 DesignFour 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.ResultsAll 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.ConclusionSEM 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.