Retrospective study of vulvovaginal candidiasis

Vulvo-vaginal candidiasis (CVV) is a symptomatic genital mycosis caused by yeasts of the Candida genus. It affects approximately 75% of women with genital activity. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of CVV and to describe its epidemiological and mycological profile. It was a retrospective study that included 1058 vaginal swabs collected over a period of three months. The culture was positive in 273 cases (25.8%). The mean age of the patients was 32 years (± 6.91) with extremes of 20 to 64 years. In 67.3% of the cases the women were pregnant, particularly during the first trimester (46.3%). Leucorrhoea was the most frequent symptom (57.6%) followed by vulvar pruritus (40.2%), and urinary burning (16.8%). The sensitivity of direct examination was 68.5%. The species isolated were Candida albicans (66%), C. glabrata (26.7%), C. krusei (3.1%), C. tropicalis (2.1%). C. parapsilosis (1.7%) and C. dubliniensis (0.4%). Our study shows that CVV is a frequent reason for consultation in women. Its diagnosis results from the comparison of the mycological examination with anamnestic and clinical data.