RESUMO
Zinc status has been shown to influence various cell-mediated immunologic mechanisms. These cell-mediated mechanisms are important in preventing mucocutaneous infections caused by Candida albicans. This study was designed to evaluate the association of zinc status and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. In this case-control study, plasma levels of zinc in 51 patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and 50 age-matched healthy control women were assessed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Mean plasma levels of zinc were 74.9 +/- 13 micro g/dl and 87 +/- 23.5 micro g/dl in patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and control group, respectively [NS]. 4 [8%] women of control group and 5 [11.1%] women of patients group had zinc levels lower than normal value [NS]. It seems that zinc deficiency is not a risk factor of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis