PREVALENCE OF VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS IN SEXUALLY ACTIVE FEMALES WITH ANTIFUNGAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERNS OF THE ISOLATES

Introduction: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the most common fungal infection of lower genital tract of females. It is an important cause of morbidity in young women due to its increasing incidence and is considered as an important public health problem worldwide. In recent years there has been a change in the trend of infections caused by non-albicans Candida species and anti-fungal susceptibility patterns. This study was carried out to assess the prevalence, potential risk factors and detect the antifungal susceptibilities of the isolates. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in a tertiary health centre of southern Odisha from January 2016 to December 2017and included 240 clinically diagnosed cases of VVC in the reproductive age group presenting with curdy white discharge with or without pruritus, burning, or dysuria. After getting an informed consent and brief history, vaginal swabs were collected and microscopic examination, culture and antifungal susceptibility were done. Results: Most common age group affected by VVC belonged to 26-35 years and majority of the cases were from rural areas. A total of 87 Candida species (36.3%) and, 4 Trichosporon asahii were isolated. Candida albicans was the most common isolate (52), followed by Candida glabrata. Most of the isolates were sensitive to clotrimazole (90.1%) followed by fluconazole (83.5%). Conclusion: The prevalence of VVC in our study was found to be 36.3%. Low socioeconomic status, low education, oral contraceptive pill users and Diabetes were the common predisposing factors. The most common agent causing VVC was Candidia albicans followed by Candida glabrata. Most of the yeasts isolated were sensitive to Clotrimazole followed by fluconazole. Keywords: Candida; Vulvovaginal candidiasis; Antifungal susceptibility