VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS AMONG FEMALES OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTER, WESTERN UTTAR PRADESH

Background: Vulvovaginitis is an inflammation or infection of vulva and vagina. Candida is a commensal micro-organism which mainly colonizes the mucosal surfaces of human body such as gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and genitourinary tract. This study aimed to find prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis and determine antifungal susceptibility pattern of clinical Candida isolates among samples at U.P.U.M.S, Saifai. Materials and Methods: A total of112 vaginal swabs were collected from patients with symptoms suggestive of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Candida species were isolated and identified using standard laboratory techniques. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using Broth microdilution method. Results: Out of 58 candida isolates the most common clinical strains isolated were Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candidakrusei, Candida dubliniensis and Candida parapsilosis. Candida albicans was the most prevalent species (23.2%). Mean value of MIC for itraconazole against candida species ranges from 0.063-1.00µg/ml, for terbinafine against Candida species was found to be 0.031-4.00µg/ml, for voriconazole against candida species was found to be 0.012-27.897µg/ml and for fluconazole it was 0.003-42.50µg/ml. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the importance of investigating the prevalence and antifungal susceptibility pattern of VVC. Our findings have implications for treatment strategies and highlight the need for continued monitoring of antifungal susceptibility patterns.