Dual effects of vaginal Candida albicans on human papillomavirus infection: A large-scale multicenter study in Chinese women.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Vaginal infections caused by Candida albicans and human papillomavirus (HPV) are common, yet their interactions remain complex and poorly understood.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide, multicenter cohort study in China involving 6,689 women aged 18 to 50 years to examine the association between C. albicans infection and HPV acquisition and persistence. C. albicans infection was defined by positive results on both wet-mount microscopy and culture. HPV genotypes (21 types) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs, eight types) were detected using polymerase chain reaction. Cervical lesions were assessed via the ThinPrep cytologic test (TCT).

Results

In cross-sectional analyses, C. albicans infection was associated with a lower likelihood of concurrent

SUBMITTER: Chen M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12869231 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature