Frequency Distribution of Candidal Vaginitis in Women Referred to Health Centers in Yazd

Introduction: The vaginal flora is a dynamic ecosystem that can be easily altered. There are four causes of vaginal discharges which cover almost 95% of vaginaitis. Candidal Vaginaitis is an infection of vagina’s mucous membranes by Candida albicans (CA). The present study attempted to study Candidal Vaginitis in women referred to health centers in Yazd and to investigate the role of innate & cell-mediated immunity against Candidal Vaginitis. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from September 2011 to September 2012 in Yazd city. A total of 360 women were recruited. The collection of material for diagnosis was ideally performed during a comprehensive pelvic examination using a speculum for diagnosis of CA by identifying vaginal pH, smear preparing and staining, and culturing. Results: Finally, of all the 360 women that were observed and tested, 120 (33.33%) were involved and 240 (66.67%) were not involved. Of the 120 infected women, 55 patients had Bacterial vaginosis (15.6%), 40 patients had Ca (10.8%) and 25 patients had Trichomonas vaginalis (5.9%). Despite the role for cell-mediated immunity in host protection against the majority of mucosal CA infections, studied has been in women with recurrent vaginitis, in HIV-infected women. Thus, current investigations have been focused specifically on innate and acquired immune responses against CA at the vaginal mucosa instead of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis being caused by defective or dysfunctional CD4+ T helper 1-type cell-mediated immune reactivity. Conclusion: It is strongly suggested that distinct vaginal lymphocyte subsets participate in the adaptive anti-Candida immunity at the vaginal level, with the vaginal CD4_ T cells probably playing a major role.