Prevalence of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis among Pregnant and Non- Pregnant Women Attending Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

Vaginal candidiasis is a common gynaecological problem among women of childbearing age worldwide. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis among pregnant and non-pregnant women attending Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano State, Nigeria. A total of 300 high vaginal swab samples were collected from women attending antenatal and postnatal clinic of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano State, Nigeria. All samples were inoculated on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar in duplicate for 7 days at 37°C and 25°C, respectively. The positive cultures isolated were examined morphologically, microscopically, and confirmed using the standard biochemical tests with analytical profile index Candida kit. The confirmed mycological isolates were subjected to anti- fungal sensitivity test using agar well diffusion technique with standard antifungal drugs in various concentrations. Of the 300 samples screened, an overall prevalence of 98 (32.7%) was recorded, with 54 (36.0%) from pregnant women and 44 (29.3%) from non-pregnant women. Out of the 98 positive fungal infection, 67 (22.3%) were C. albicans, 15 (5.0%) were C. tropicalis, 7 (2.3%) were C. glabrata and 9 (3.0%) were C. krusei. Amphotericin B showed higher activity against most of the isolated Candida species, while majority of the isolates exhibited varying resistance to Ketoconazole. The study showed a higher prevalence of vaginal candidiasis among pregnant than non-pregnant women, which may be due to an increase in the production of progesterone and oestrogen misused, and overused of antibiotics.