Identification of Candida Species Using Phenotypic and Molecular Methods Isolated from Women Infected with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Maysan, Iraq

Abstract

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) caused by Candida spp. is a serious health that primarily affects women of childbearing age, accounting for 15–25 % of vaginitis patients. There have been few studies on the VVC in Maysan province/Iraq. Thus, the aim of this study was the phylogenetic and molecular identification of Candida spp. Isolated from women with VVC in Maysan/Iraq. A total of 100 samples were taken from women of reproductive age attending the Maysan Maternity Hospital. The cultures were positive for 45 (45%) and six Candida species, including; Candida albicans (44.4%), Candida glabrata (17.8%), Candida dubliniensis (15.6%), Candida parapsilosis (11.1), Candida krusei (6.7%) and Candida Kefyr (4.4%). The colors of colonies of tested Candida on CHROMagar Candida confirmed our isolates. C. albicans and Candida dubliniensis showed capability to form chlamydospores and germ tubes and grow in the presence of cycloheximide. C. dubliniensis and C. parapsilosis showed no growth at 45°C. The majority of tested Candida species revealed 9%-100% identity with many reference strains in GenBank.