This study investigated the incidence and speciation of Candida species among non-gravid young females, using commercially available chromogenic Candida speciation media (CHROM agar) for the identification/speciation of medically important yeast and yeastlike organisms in a routine clinical mycology laboratory. High Vaginal Swabs (HVS) were randomly collected from consenting non-gravid-young females for the study. The participants also completed a structured questionnaire assessing demographic data, symptoms, and risk factors of candidiasis. A total of 120 females between the ages of 17 and 31 years were randomly recruited for the study. Standard microbiological techniques such as Gram's stain, wet mount and culture on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and CHROM agar were used to analyze the swabs. Candida species was isolated from 64 of the 120 females, representing 53.3%. The highest incidence rate of 25.0% was recorded in the 23-25 years age group, followed by 12.5% in the 26-28 years while the lowest incidence (1.7%) was observed in the 17-19 years age group. Candida albicans (35.0%) was the most common Candida species, followed by C. tropicalis (8.3%), C. glabrata (6.7%) and C. krusie (3.3%), whereas, non-Candida infection constituted 46.7% (Negative cultures). Vaginal discharge (85.5%) and itching (52.5%) recorded the high values, with respect to symptoms. The prevalent risk factors associated with vaginal candidiasis in this study were washing of vagina with soap (Vaginal douching) (72.5%) and unprotected casual sex (16.7%). Whitish vaginal discharge (78.3%) was most prevalent followed by creamish vagina discharge (56.7%). In addition to Candida albicans, non-albicans Candida spp were isolated from HVS specimens; therefore, public health education is vital. CHROM agar is a simple, rapid and inexpensive method with good sensitivity and specificity for identification and speciation of Candida species thus, allowing an early and appropriate antifungal therapy. The results of the study will eliminate the ambiguities concerning Candida identification in this country and will contribute to better management and proper treatment of patients. ©JASEM

ABSTRACT:Treculia africana is a plant that is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diverse ailments. To investigate the scientific basis for the use of the plant, the antimicrobial activities/potency of the root and stem bark extracts were evaluated against common gram negative and gram positive bacteria as well as yeast. The chemical constituents of the plant in addition to the effect of temperature and pH on its antimicrobial potencies were investigated. The phytochemical constituents of the dried powdered plant parts were extracted using aqueous and organic solvents (acetone and ethanol). The antimicrobial activity of the concentrated extracts was evaluated by determining the diameter of zone of inhibition against both gram negative and gram positive bacteria and yeast, using the disc diffusion technique. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of glycosides, anthraquinone, free aglycone, saponin, steroids and polyphenols. The extracts were active against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The activities of the plant extracts were not affected at varied temperatures (4 o C, 30 o C, 60 o C and 100 o C), but decreased at alkaline pH. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts on the test organisms revealed lowest MIC and MBC against Salmonella paratyphi, Salmonella typhi and Bacillus subtilis with highest MIC and MBC exhibited against Staphylococcus aureus. Generally, there was significant difference (p<0.05) in the antimicrobial activities of the test extracts and control antibiotics, with the control antibiotics exerting broader antimicrobial activity. Treculia africana demonstrated broad spectrum antibacterial activity and a potential source of new classes of antibiotics that could be useful for infectious disease chemotherapy and control. ©JASEM