Clotrimazole Dampens Vaginal Inflammation and Neutrophil Infiltration in Response to Candida albicans Infection

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe pathology of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) caused byCandida albicansis associated with a nonprotective inflammatory response and is frequently treated with clotrimazole. We investigated the mechanisms by which clotrimazole resolves VVC. Low levels of clotrimazole, which do not block fungal growth, inhibit expression of a “danger response” transcription factor, c-Fos, block production of proinflammatory cytokines, and inhibit neutrophil infiltration to the site of infection.