This study investigated the incidence and speciation of
Candida
species among
non-gravid young females, using commercially available chromogenic
Candida speciation
media (CHROM agar) for the identification/speciation of medically important yeast and yeastlike
organisms in a routine clinical mycology laboratory. High Vaginal Swabs (HVS) were
randomly collected from consenting non-gravid-young females for the study. The participants
also completed a structured questionnaire assessing demographic data, symptoms, and risk
factors of candidiasis. A total of 120 females between the ages of 17 and 31 years were
randomly recruited for the study. Standard microbiological techniques such as Gram’s stain, wet
mount and culture on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and CHROM agar were used to analyze
the swabs.
Candida species was isolated from 64 of the 120 females, representing 53.3%. The
highest incidence rate of 25.0% was recorded in the 23-25 years age group, followed by 12.5%
in the 26-28 years while the lowest incidence (1.7%) was observed in the 17-19 years age group.
Candida albicans
(35.0%) was the most common
Candida species, followed by
C. tropicalis
(8.3%),
C. glabrata
(6.7%) and
C. krusie
(3.3%), whereas, non-Candida infection constituted
46.7% (Negative cultures). Vaginal discharge (85.5%) and itching (52.5%) recorded the high
values, with respect to symptoms. The prevalent risk factors associated with vaginal candidiasis
in this study were washing of vagina with soap (Vaginal douching) (72.5%) and unprotected
casual sex (16.7%). Whitish vaginal discharge (78.3%) was most prevalent followed by
creamish vagina discharge (56.7%). In addition to
Candida albicans, non-albicans
Candida spp
were isolated from HVS specimens; therefore, public health education is vital. CHROM agar is
a simple, rapid and inexpensive method with good sensitivity and specificity for identification
and speciation of
Candida species thus, allowing an early and appropriate antifungal therapy.
The results of the study will eliminate the ambiguities concerning
Candida identification in
this country and will contribute to better management and proper treatment of patients.
