بررسی فراوانی ولوواژینیت کاندیدایی و گونه‌های کاندیدایی جدا شده در زنان مراجعه‌کننده به مرکزتخصصی زنان کاشان در سال 88-1386

Abstract Background and purpose: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) often referred to as a yeast infection which is a common gynecologic problem, affecting %75 of women during their lifetimes. More than 40% of affected women will have two or more VVC episodes. Candida albicans is the most common agent of VVC however non-albicans Candida species have increasingly been identified as the cause of vulvovaginitis. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis and frequency of Candida species in women of different age groups referred to gynecology obstetrics clinic at Kashan-Iran from 2008 to 2010. Materials and methods: Vaginal samples were collected from 232 patients suspected of contracting vulvovaginitis based on clinical manifestations examined by gynaecologist. All collected samples were cultured on Chromagar and Sabouraud’s dextrose agar which incubated at 35°C in dark for 72 h. Identification and determination of yeast isolates were performed based on morphologic, physiologic and biochemical criteria. Results: A total of 105 patients were diagnosed with vulvovaginal candidiasis. Thirteen (12.3%) patients out of 105 were identified as recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. The results revealed that Candida albicans was the most commonly identified species of pathogenic yeasts. The majority of symptoms among the positive patients were vulvovaginal itching (82.9%). Moreover, the results showed that significant differences between the signs of itching and discharge among the positive and negative cultures. Conclusion: Although the incidence of non-Candida albicans in different type of candidiasis is dramatically increased, in the present study, C. albicans was the most predominant species related to vulvovaginal candidiasis Therefore, identification and consideration of potential etiological agents involved in RVVC is recommended.