Prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis and frequency of Candida speices in women referred to gynecology obstetrics clinic at Kashan-Iran since 2008 to 2010

Background and Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVÇ) 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 2 or more VVÇ episodes. Çandida albicans is the most agent of VVÇ; however non-albicans Çandida 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 Çandida species in women of different age groups referred to gynecology obstetrics clinic at Kashan-Ïran since 2008 to 2010. Vaginal samples were collected from 232 patients who suspected as vulvovaginitis due to clinical manifestations by gynaecologist. Âll collected samples were cultured on ÇHRÔMagar and Sabouraud’s dextrose agar which incubated at 35°Ç in dark for 72h. Ïdentification and determination of yeast isolates were performed based on morphologyic, physiology and biochemical criteria. Â total of 105 patients were diagnosed as vulvovaginal candidiasis. 13 (12.3%) patients out of 105 were identified as recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. The results revealed that Çandida 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.Çonclusion: Âlthough the incidence of non-Çandida albicans at different type of candidiasis is dramatically increased, in the present study, Ç.albicans was the most predominant species related to vulvovaginal candidiasis Therefore, identification and consideration of potential etiological agents at RVVÇ is extremely suggested.