Isolation, identificatison and anti-fungal susceptibility of candida species from clinically suspected cases of vulvovaginitis in a tertiary care hospital in rural area - a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim/Objectives: To determine the predominant candidal species in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. To find out the antifungal susceptibility pattern of the candidal isolates and to assess the risk factor associated with Vulvo-Vaginal Candidiasis (VVC). Methods: A total of 100 high vaginal swabs (HVS) were collected from women suspected of having Candidal Vulvovaginitis from May 2014 to February 2015. Wet mount preparations in potassium hydroxide (KOH) and Gram-stained smears were performed directly on specimens. Cultures for Candida species were done using Sabouraud’s dextrose agar (SDA) at room temperature (25-28oC). Antifungal susceptibility of the Candida species to Amphotericin B, Fluconazole and Ketoconazole was assessed using the NCCLS guidelines on Mueller Hilton agar. Results: The incidence of non albicans (60%) was significantly higher than the Candida albicans (40%) which was found to be sensitive to Fluconazole (95%) followed by Amphotericin B (85%). The common presenting symptoms of vulvovaginitis found to be thick white vaginal discharge followed by itching pruritus. Conclusion: The predominant candidal species in vulvovaginitis was non-albicans (candida tropicalis). Candida was most sensitive to fluconazole. Keywords: Vulvovaginal candidiasis; Candida tropicalis; Antifungal sensitivity