Comparison of Species Distribution, Antifungal Susceptibility and Virulence Factors in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women with Vulvo-Vaginal Candidiasis
Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is one of the common causes of morbidity afflicting women of reproductive age and is a significant cause of illness in the pregnant population. Studying the trends in spectrum and antimicrobial susceptibility of Candida species causing vulvovaginitis represents a vital area of research. Aim and Objectives: To understand the differences in Candida species causing vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnant and non-pregnant women and compare their antifungal susceptibility pattern. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study on 55 women of reproductive age who tested positive for vulvovaginal candidiasis. Growth of Candida was confirmed by colony morphology, Gram’s stain and speciation done by its characteristics on cornmeal agar with Tween 80, sugar assimilation and fermentation tests. The virulence factors studied were biofilm formation and production of phospholipase and proteinase. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Categorical variables were presented in frequency and percentage. Chi square test was used to measure the association between pregnant status and different variables of interest. Result: Of the 55 women, 37 were non-pregnant and 18 were pregnant at the time of sample collection. Candida albicans was the predominant species in pregnant as well as non-pregnant women. There were observable differences in distribution of Candida albicans between the two groups which were not statistically significant. Voriconazole sensitivity was found twice in non-pregnant as compared to pregnant women by disc-diffusion as well as Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination by Vitek 2. Candida affecting pregnant women was twice as likely to produce biofilm as compared to non-pregnant women (OR= 2.115,95 % CI=0.508-8.805).Conclusion: There are differences in Candida behaviour between pregnant and non-pregnant women that may affect treatment options. Further research with a larger sample size is recommended.
Author: Rafat Siddiqui
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4310659070