Vaginal Epithelial Cell Anti- <i>Candida albicans</i> Activity Is Associated with Protection against Symptomatic Vaginal Candidiasis

Abstract

Vaginal epithelial cell (VEC) anti-Candida albicans activity, despite being measured in vitro, is considered an innate host defense mechanism. This was supported further by the fact that women protected from symptomatic infection following a live intravaginal Candida challenge had increased VEC anti-Candida activity compared to those who acquired a symptomatic infection.