Study of Vulvo-Vaginal Candidiasis among Patients Visiting Obstetrics and Gynecology Department in a Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Background: Vulvovaginitis is a common day to day problem in gynecological practice. Candida albicans is the commonest infectious cause. An estimated 75% of women have at least one episode of Vulvo-vaginal Candidiasis and 40%–45% will have two or more episodes within their lifetime. The main objective of this study is to find out the incidence of Vulvo-vaginal Candidiasis among patients visiting Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore. Methods: Vaginal swabs were collected from 100 patients visiting the hospital with history of white discharge and subjecting it to microscopy and culture. Candida isolates were further identified to species using conventional methods. Results: Candida as the causative agent of Vulvovaginitis was noted in 34% of cases. Majority of the women infected belong to 20-39 years group. The predominant species isolated was C.albicans 65%. Non-albicans species included C.tropicalis 24%, C.krusei 5%, C.glabrata 3% and C.parapsilosis 3%. Conclusion: The predominant species isolated was C.albicans. Other non-albicans Candida species isolated in this study were C.tropicalis, C.krusei, C.glabarata and C.parapsilosis. Keywords: Vulvovaginal Candidiasis; Incidence; White Discharge