Comparative Analysis of Quantitative Gene Expression of TGF-β in Patients with Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis and the Normal Population

Abstract

Background: Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is a widespread opportunistic gynecological condition resulting from infections by Candida albicans and non-C. albicans (NAC) species. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), a significant cytokine involved in cell-mediated immunity (CMI), plays a crucial role in vaginal infections. Objectives: The current study was conducted to evaluate the differences in TGF-β gene expression between patients with RVVC and healthy individuals using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: This case-control study involved 124 patients diagnosed with RVVC and 225 age-matched healthy individuals as controls. The mRNA expression of the TGF-β gene was measured using quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR). Data analysis and the creation of graphs were carried out using SPSS and GraphPad PRISM software. Results: The QRT-PCR findings showed higher TGF-β expression in RVVC patients compared to the control group, though the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.2538). Conclusions: Our study revealed that the expression of the TGF-β1 isoform was elevated in patients with clinical manifestations in the vagina, although the increase was not statistically significant. Based on this outcome, further in vivo studies are necessary to elucidate the precise role of TGF-β isoforms in the vaginal tract of patients with RVVC.