Journal of Women's Health Care
Open Access
ISSN: 2167-0420
ISSN: 2167-0420
Gilbert GG DONDERS
Dept Ob/Gyn Regional Hospital Tienen, Belgium
Keynote: J Women’s Health Care
Candida, a common type of yeast, is the most frequent cause of vulvovaginitis (VVC), provoking vulvar itching, a burning sensation, painful fissures, increased vaginal discharge and painful intercourse. Worldwide, approximately 75% of women develop vulvovaginal candidosis at least once in their lifetime. and up to 9% of them get it 3 times or more per year (recurrent VVC (RVVC))1-4. RVVC has significant psychosocial and economic burdens that impact severely women’s sexual life and wellbeing, at times even leading to suicidal thoughts. Although several efficient medical therapies are available for VVC, treatment of recurrent disease remains challenging. Most women are well while using antifungal medication at regular intervals (maintenance therapy. But infection recurs in over 50% of patients within 6 months of stopping maintenance therapy 15, and even during maintenance therapy, about 30% of women starts to experience recurrences due to emerging drug resistance to fluconazole of C albicans and an increased prevalence of the more difficult-to-treat Candida non-albicans strains (e.g., Candida glabrata). Although we know there is a genetic susceptibility, there is insufficient knowledge of the pathogenesis of this bothersome and hard to treat disease. .Although relatively safe and well tolerated in general, long-term fluconazole use carries warnings of liver toxicity, allergic skin reactions, potential foetal harm, drug-drug interactions, and cardiac problems (QT prolongation). These increasing challenges and burden to patients plea for more research for better understanding of the pathogenesis of RVVC and better treatment and prevention modalities.
Dr Gilbert Donders was Experienced Gynecologist with clinical practice in Tienen and Antwerp, Director of Femicare vzw, perfroming Clinical Research for Women, and President elect of the International Society of Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Strong professional skills in Epidemiology, Healthcare, Research, Vaccinations, Vulvoganitis Diagnostics, Prevention and Treatment.His research interests: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Infectious Diseases, Vaccinations, Vulvoganitis Diagnostics.