Speciation and susceptibility testing of Candida isolates from vaginal discharge

Background Vaginal discharge is the frequently narrated complaint in the female sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the second most common reason for vaginal discharge. Treatment and prevention of VVC among the female population can reduce HIV acquisition and pregnancy related complications, in addition to improvement in their quality of life. Aims This study aims to detect the percentage of VVC among patients with vaginal discharge, as well as speciate and perform antifungal susceptibility tests for the Candida isolates. Methods Two high vaginal swabs were collected from 130 female outpatients with complaints of vaginal discharge. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount, Gram's stain and culture in Sabouraud's dextrose agar were performed. Antifungal susceptibility tests were done by the disc diffusion method, Hicomb strips and broth microdilution method. Results Isolation of candida was 39.23 per cent in our study. Candida albicans (45.83 per cent) was the commonest species followed by Candida glabarata (22.91 per cent). Amphotericin B was 100 per cent effective for all Candida isolates. Conclusion Though C. albicans was the commonest species, more than 50 per cent of isolates were non-albicans Candida. Therefore identification of species is important for appropriate anti-fungal therapy. Speciation also helps to prevent treatment failure and dissemination of drug resistance.