Antifungal susceptibility pattern of Candida species from vulvovaginal candidiasis against six antifungal drugs

Candida species are the second most common cause of vulvovaginitis worldwide. Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) is a common disease affecting more than 75% of all women at least once in their lifetime and 5 to 8% of those individuals also develop recurrent infections. Correct identification of the isolated Candida species is essential to direct the empirical antifungal therapy. The aim of this study were to isolate Candida from VVC patients, show its characterization and in vitro antifungal susceptibility against six antifungal drugs by the broth microdilution method. Vaginal swabs were collected from infected women. One sample was processed for direct microscopic examination and other one was used for culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and CHROMagar. Isolates was identified by battery of tests and antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida species was done by Microdilution method. A total of 145 isolates of candida species were obtained. Candida albicans was found to be the most frequently isolated species, i.e. 114 (78.6%) of the total isolates, followed by C. glabrata 17 (11.7%), C. krusei 11 (7.5 %), C. parapsilosis 2 (1.3 %), and C. tropicalis 1 (0.68%). All drugs were active against all of the isolates except for Nystatin and Econazole, two (5%) of C. albicans were non-susceptible to it and three (7%) of C. albicans isolates were non-susceptible to Tioconazole. Identification of Candida to species level and their antifungal susceptibility testing should be done to achieve better clinical results.