A study of female genital swabs in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

AbstractObjectiveTo detect some common microbial agents of vaginal discharge and improve the current syndromic management of abnormal vaginal discharge.MethodsA prospective study of female genital swabs collected from obstetrics and gynecology units of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria and an analysed of microscopy, culture and sensitivity in the medical microbiology and parasitology laboratory of this hospital were conducted from December 2007 to December 2008. Data on epidemiologic indices were collected from the patients, using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires.ResultsEight hundred and forty Candida species were detected, constituting 60% (n=840) of 1 400 female genital discharge samples of microbial etiology in a total of 2 000 female genital samples received. The distribution of vaginal candidiasis was the highest in young adults aged 21 to 30 years with 43%(n=360) of the total 840 cases. Pregnant women that presented with vaginal candidiasis constituted 40% (n=360) of the total 840 cases. Other risk groups included the immuno-suppression with 24% (n=202), group on hormonal therapy with 15% (n=126) and broad spectrum antibiotics users with 16% (n=134).ConclusionsThe results show that Candida is the most common cause of vaginitis and vulvo-vaginal candidiasis followed by C. albicans in the young adults aged 21 to 30 years, pregnant mothers, immuno-suppression, contraceptive and broad spectrum antibiotic users. Proper management of vaginal candidiasis and vulvo-vaginal candidiasis is recommended especially among the risk groups in order to avoid complications and reduce HIV transmission