Abstract:
Candida species are responsible for vulvovaginal candidiasis and resistance to antifungal drugs
is a challenge. This study determined the incidence of vaginal candidiasis, antifungal susceptibility pattern
and virulence markers of Candida species among contraceptive users. A total of 800 High Vaginal Swabs
(HVS) were collected from women using contraceptive devices and inoculated onto Sabouraud Dextrose
Agar (SDA) medium and CHROM agar. Candidal colonies were examined using lactophenol cotton blue
and Germ tube test. The isolates were then subjected to a disc diffusion method using voriconazole,
nystatin, and fluconazole on Mueller-Hinton agar to determine the susceptibility pattern of the isolates.
Virulence markers which include heamolytic activity, coagulase production and biofilm formation were
determined using standard microbiological methods. The incidence of vulvovaginal candidiasis in the
study area is 44.88%. Candida albicans (33.98%) was the most frequent isolate while a preponderance of
C. glabrata (16.99%) was observed among non-albicans Candida species. All the Candida species
demonstrated at least one of the virulence markers, except C. parapsilosis which did not produce biofilm.
Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis were 100% susceptible to nystatin, voriconazole and
fluconazole. All the Candida glabrata isolates were susceptible (100%) to the three antifungal drugs.
Candida parapsilosis and Candida krusei were 100% susceptible to nystatin. This current study revealed
the incidence and the distribution of Candida species among contraceptive users. The isolates showed
varying susceptibility patterns to the drugs except Candida krusei which was 100% resistant to
voriconazole and fluconazole.
