Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
ICD-10 B37.3 · ICD-11 1F23.10

Non-Albicans Candida Vulvovaginitis (e.g. Candida glabrata) Not Responding to Standard First-Line Antimycotics

This protocol covers vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by non-albicans Candida species — including Candida glabrata — where infection has not responded to usual doses and first-line antimycotic therapy.

Non-albicans Candida vulvovaginitis presents a distinct therapeutic challenge: standard antifungal agents active against Candida albicans frequently show reduced efficacy against these species. Unnecessary antimycotic therapies should always be avoided, and non-albicans vaginitis should be treated with alternative antifungal agents tailored to the causative species.
The protocol specifies vaginal antifungal approaches — including an established agent used as an ultima ratio option (with contraceptive measures, in non-pregnant women) and recognised alternative antifungal formulations — for cases resistant to conventional first-line therapy.

Full regimen details, dosing, sequencing, and clinical decision criteria are available in the complete protocol below.

References

DOI: 10.1111/myc.13248

  • Unnecessary antimycotic therapies should always be avoided, and non-albicans vaginitis should be treated with alternative antifungal agents.
  • In case of C glabrata vaginitis, local administration of nystatin or ciclopiroxolamine might be considered.
  • Sobel et al176 recommend vaginal application of 600 mg boric acid suppositories for 14 days for C glabrata, while others recommend amphotericin B.
  • The magistral formulation with 17% 5-flucytosine was shown to be successful in 90% of the treatment-resistant cases after a two-week vaginal treatment.
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