Pnm-15: IUD Insertion and Alterations of Candida Species in Cervicovaginal Specimens by Polymerase Chain Reaction Technique

Background: Vulvovaginal Candidiasis is one of the most common vaginal infections and identification of candida species can be helpful in medical treatment. Intra uterine devices (IUDs) are effective, long-term methods of contraception, which in some cases may lead to Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. This study was developed to assess the effect of IUD insertion on Candida fungal flora in cervicovaginal specimens. Materials and Methods: This longitudinal prospective study was performed in 2012 on 95 Iranian women clients attending Health Centers of Tehran, who selected Copper T-380-A IUDs for contraception and who had no history of local or systemic antibiotic or antifungal medications use during the last 2 weeks before sampling. Cervico-vaginal specimens were collected and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and CHROMagar Candida, before and 3 months after IUD insertion. Finally, a molecular method, PCR-RFLP was performed for definite identification of candida species. The statistical software used was: SPSS v.16. Pvalues <0.05 were considered significant. Results: Positive candida cultures were significantly increased 3 months after IUD insertion (25 vs. 11.6%, Man-Whitney pvalue: 0.007). There were no significant alterations in the identified species of candida after IUD insertion. The most common species before and after IUD insertion, were Albicans, Glabrata and then both Albicans and Glabrata simultaneously. The prevalence of C.albicans and C.glabrata decreased, but simultaneous C.albicans and C.glabrata increased insignificantly. Conclusion: There was a substantial increase in the prevalence of cervicovaginal candidiasis after IUD insertion. As the prevalence of simultaneous infection with Albicans and Glabrata species which are more resistant to treatment, was increased- although insignificantly- this finding needs further investigation.