Vulvovaginal candidiasis is an inflammation localized in the vulvovaginal area. It is mostly caused by
Candida albicans. Its treatment is based on the systemic and local administration of antifungal drugs.
However, this conventional therapy can fail owing to the resistance of the Candida species and
noncompliance of patients. Amphotericin B-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanofibers are singleuse, antifungal, controlled drug delivery systems, and represent an alternative therapeutic scheme for
the local treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Nanofibers were characterized by analytical techniques
and with an in vitro drug delivery study. In vitro and in vivo fungicidal activity of amphotericin B released
from nanofibers was evaluated using the agar diffusion method and an experimental murine model of
vulvovaginal candidiasis, respectively. Analytical techniques showed that amphotericin B was physically
mixed in the polymeric nanofibers. Nanofibers controlled the delivery of therapeutic doses of amphotericin B for eight consecutive days, providing effective in vitro antifungal activity and eliminated the
in vivo vaginal fungal burden after 3 days of treatment and with only one local application. Amphotericin
B-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanofibers could be potentially applied as an alternative strategy
for the local treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis without inducing fungal resistance, yet ensuring
patient complianc