VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS PREVALENCE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN DIFFERENT HOSPITALS IN IBB, YEMEN

Wadhah Hassan Edrees; Amin Abdo Al-Asbahi; Wadee Abdullah Al-Shehari; Eglal Ahmed Qasem

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v5i4.431

Wadhah Hassan Edrees Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Al-Razi University, Yemen
Amin Abdo Al-Asbahi Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Amran University.
Wadee Abdullah Al-Shehari Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Ibb University, Yemen.
Eglal Ahmed Qasem Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Ibb University, Yemen.

10.22270/ujpr.v5i4.431

Keywords:

Candida albicans, Susceptibility antifungal, Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), Yemen

Abstract

Background and aims: Candida species are opportunistic yeasts that affect the genital urinary tract that causes vulvovaginal candidiasis in the most females, particularly in developing countries. This work aims to find the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis among pregnant women in Ibb, Yemen.

Material and methods: Two hundred and eighteen samples of females attending outpatient obstetrics and gynecology clinics were chosen from several hospitals (Al-Thawra, Maternity and Childhood Center, Maternal Reproductive Health Center, and Nasser General Hospital) located in Ibb, from December 2019 to March 2020. The laboratory works were performed in the microbiology department of Al-Thawra Hospital, Ibb. Vaginal swabs were cultivated on Sabouraud dextrose agar, then the species of Candida identification and anti-fungal sensitivity tests were performed regarding the standard procedure of microbiology.

Results: The findings revealed that out of 218 cases, 134 (61.5%) were infected with Candida species, and the rate of candidiasis was higher among women coming from rural areas than among women in urban areas; and in the age group 28-37 years. C. albicans (61.2%) were the most prevalent species followed by C. tropicalis (21.64%), C. glabrata (11.19%), and C. kefyr (5.97%). Susceptibility tests showed that the most isolated Candida species were sensitive to nystatin (94.8), fluconazole (91.04%), amphotericin B (88.80%), voriconazole (78.35%), clotrimazole (75.37%), ketoconazole (73.13%), and itraconazole (69.40%).

Conclusion: It can be concluded that Candida vaginitis is very common among pregnant women, and the tested anti-fungal agents continue to be effective against all isolates of Candida species. In contrast, there was a slight increase resistant against itraconazole, ketoconazole, clotrimazole, and voriconazole which raises concern about a rise in Candida species that are resistant to these drugs.