Abstract
Candidiasis in women of child-bearing age is a major problem in most hospitals in Nigeria. High vaginal swabs were analyzed for Candida presence in women of child bearing age using Chromogenic agar. Isolated Candida spp. were analyzed phylogenetically to trace their evolutionary relatedness. Growth rate assay was done using Sabouruand and Dextrose medium supplemented with NaCl and glucose. The resistance pattern of the Candida spp. was tested using fluconazole and extracts (methanol and ethyl) from Byrsocarpus coccineus. Out of the 79 fungal samples analyzed, 21 (26.6%) were C. tropicalis, 25 (31.6%) were C. krusei, 10 (12.7%) were C. parapsilosis and 8 (10.1%) were C. albicans. About 15 (19.0%) had mixed morphology on CHROM agar Candida and could not be identified. The healthy women presented very low percentage (8.9%) of Candida species. The sequenced Candida spp. had 100% sequence identity to C. tropicalis. High concentration of glucose (1 g/ml) and NaCl (0.5 M) decreased the growth of the fungus. In conclusion, C. tropicalis and C. krusei were more prevalent in the malaria patients. C. albicans were found mostly in the typhoid patients. The plant extracts showed lower antifungal activity in comparison with fluconazole but they showed a huge antifungal potential. Key words: Byrsocarpus coccineus, Candida, diabetes, fluconazole, malaria, phylogeny, typhoid.
Highlights
Vaginal candidiasis is a very common health problem in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals, while oral candidiasis is much more common in immunocompromised individuals (Denning et al, 2018; Muzny and Schwebke, 2015; Fidel, 2002)
The Candida spp were identified based on morphological appearance on CHROMagar Candida. a= observed colour on CHROMagar Candida representing more than one Candida species in the literature. b= mixed, Candida culture contaminated with more than one Candida species
Most of the C. albicans were isolated from the typhoid patients while C. krusei was the most abundant species in the patients with diabetes
Summary
Vaginal candidiasis is a very common health problem in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals, while oral candidiasis is much more common in immunocompromised individuals (Denning et al, 2018; Muzny and Schwebke, 2015; Fidel, 2002). Other Candida spp., like C. glabrata (10 to 30%), C. tropicalis (10 to 20%), C. parapsilosis (10 to 20%) have been reported. Studies have reported the emergence of antifungal-resistant C. albicans fungemia in bone marrow transplant recipients being administered longterm fluconazole prophylaxis (Cornely et al, 2012; Alexander et al, 2013). The number of cases of fluconazole-resistant candidemia caused by C. albicans in patients with cancer who are receiving azole prophylaxis still remains small (Cornely et al, 2012; Alexander et al, 2013). C. parapsilosis is reported to have high minimum inhibitory concentration to echinocandins (Deorukhkar and Sani, 2016) For treatments in both human and animals, therapeutic options become limited when there is cross resistance to all antifungal azoles
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
