Phenotypic Characterization Virulence factors and Antifungal Susceptibility in Candida species from Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

newline ABSTRACT newlineINTRODUCTION newlineFungal infections have become a prominent challenge over the last decade, mainly due to an increase in immunosuppressed patients, who are highly susceptible to opportunistic infections, including mycoses. Vulvovaginitis, or inflammation of the vulva and vagina, most commonly occurs in reproductive-aged women and is usually secondary to infection. Candidal vulvovaginitis is responsible for about one-third of cases. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an exceedingly common mucosal infection of the lower female reproductive tract (FRT), caused mainly by the polymorphic opportunistic fungus Candida albicans. newlineThe diversity of Candida is associated with human infections, which provides new challenges in diagnosing and treating candidiasis and studying their virulence. Vaginal infections are a common form of Candida overgrowth in women. An overgrowth of Candida disrupts the normal balance of the bacteria and yeast in the vagina. This imbalance may also be due to drugs, stress, hormones, and food habits. The most common clinical manifestations of vulvovaginal candidiasis are pruritis, dysuria, leukorrhea, and vulval erythema, which causes problems in marital and sexual relations. AIMS and OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the virulence factors and antifungal susceptibility pattern in clinical isolates of candida species from suspected vulvovaginitis in a tertiary care hospital. To isolate and speciate different Candida species isolated from a clinical specimen obtained from clinically suspected vulvovaginitis patients. To detect the virulence factors among the isolates of candida species and determine the antifungal susceptibility patterns of the isolates obtained from the patients. newlineMATERIALS and METHODS: 180 women aged 15 to 56 years with clinically suspected vulvovaginal candidiasis from the gynaecology out-patients department Patient consent was also obtained after explaining the sample collection and study procedure. A questionnaire was completed with information covering complaints, nature of va