It is estimated that approximately 75% of all women suffer at
least once in their lifetime from vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC),
with 40–50% experiencing at least one additional episode of
infection. A small percentage of women (5–8%) suffer from at
least four recurrent VVC per year. Predisposing factors for VVC
are less well defined than for OC and include diabetes mellitus,
use of antibiotics, oral contraception, pregnancy and hormone
therapy. Despite their frequency and associated morbidity,
superficial C. albicans infections are non-lethal. In stark contrast,
systemic candidiasis is associated with a high crude mortality
rate, even with first line antifungal therapy. Both neutropenia
and damage of the gastrointestinal mucosa are risk factors for the
development of experimental systemic (disseminated) candidiasis.
Further risk factors include central venous catheters, which
allow direct access of the fungus to the bloodstream, the application
of broad-spectrum antibacterials, which enable fungal overgrowth,
and trauma or gastrointestinal surgery, which disrupts
mucosal barriers.