Author/Authors :
Fouladi, Bahman Department of Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Zabol University of Medical Sciences - Zabol, Iran , Rezaie Keikhaie, Khadijeh Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - School of Medicine - Zabol University of Medical Sciences - Zabol, , Ghaemi, Marjan Maternal - Fetal and Neonatal Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran - Kamali Hospital - Alborz University of Medical Sciences - Karaj, Tehran , Shirazi, Mahboobeh Yas Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Ahmadian, Maryam Maternal - Fetal and Neonatal Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Rajabpoor Nikoo, Nesa Yas Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Amini Poya, Salia Department of Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Zabol University of Medical Sciences - Zabol, Iran , Saravani, Solaiman Department of Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Zabol University of Medical Sciences - Zabol, Iran , Farzi, Jebraeil Shohada Hospital - Qom University of Medical Sciences - Qom, Iran
Abstract :
Background & Objective: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common vaginal yeast infection in women. The present study aimed to determine the phenotype of Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida species in VVC cases.
Materials & Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on 65 patients suspected of VVC
through a visit by a gynecologist. They were cultured on CHROMagar and Sabouraud
dextrose agar (SDA). If morphology of the colonies could be detected through microscopic
inspection, physiological tests were used to identify individual yeast species.
Results: Out 65 colonies, 53.8% had negative cultures. The frequency of positive cultures
for Candida were also calculated (C. albicans = 38.5%, C. glabrata = 6.15%, and C. krusei
= 1.53%). Most of culture-negative cases had no history of antibiotic therapy (94.3%)
while most of culture-positive cases had a history of fluconazole therapy (56% in C.
albicans isolates and 40% in non-C. albicans isolates). Relapse rate was calculated as
29.2%. Of studied patients, 80% had no underlying disease, 15.4% had a history of
diabetes, and 4.6% had a history of corticosteroid therapy. Less than half negative-culture
cases had an undergraduate degree (45.7%).
Conclusion: The incidence of VVC depends on various factors including
occupation, underlying disease and history of antibiotic therapy. The most common
cause of VVC is C. glabrata, secondary to C. albicans. Relapse infection rates can
be reduced by increasing knowledge on clinical data, underlying diseases, mechanism of the organism, cause of infection, and effective treatment.
