Abstract:
The occurrence of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) and antifungal resistance to antifungal
agents during the last two decades has increased.This study determined the specie
distribution and their antifungal susceptibility pattern from cases of vulvovaginitis in
women using contraceptives in four selected States of North Central Nigeria. A total of
1600 High Vaginal Swabs (HVS) were collected from women using contraceptive device
from the study area. Inoculation and culture was made unto Sabouraud Dextrose Agar
(SDA) medium and CHROM agar. Colonies were examined using direct, lactophenol
cotton blue and Germ tube test. Susceptibility test to antifungals (Nystatin, Voriconazole,
Fluconazole) was performed with commercially prepared antifungal disks. Five species
of Candida were isolated from 710 women with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. Candida
albicans was the most frequent isolate which accounted for 43.23% of the species isolated.
Out of the non-albicans Candida species 19.01% were C. glabrata, 15.77% for C.
tropicalis, 8.87% for C. parapsilosis and C. krusei accounted for 13.09% of the total
isolates. C. albicans was 100% susceptible to Nystatin, 92.1% susceptible to Voriconazole,
and 71.0% susceptible to fluconazole while 28.9% was resistant to fluconazole. All isolates
of C. glabrata were 100% susceptible to Nystatin, Voriconazole and Fluconazole. Candida
tropicaliswas susceptible to nystatin (53.5%), voriconazole (85.7%) and fluconazole
(100%). However, some isolates of C. tropicalis were 46.4% and 14.3% resistant against
nystatin and voriconazole. Candida parapsilosis was 100% susceptible to nystatin and
fluconazole while 82.5% were susceptible to voriconazole. Candida krusei was 100%
susceptible to Nystatin but 100% resistant to Voriconazole and Fluconazole. The need
for confirmation of Candida species and routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing before
initiation of therapy is highly recommended.
