Vaginal colonization and vulvovaginitis by Candida species in pregnant women from Northern of Colombia

Abstract

<jats:p>Objective: identify the vaginal colonizing Candida species and VVC species, predisposing factors and susceptibility against fluconazole in pregnant women attending gynecological outpatient of a maternal clinic in Cartagena (Colombia). Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common infection that affects a large proportion of women of childbearing age. It is estimated that about 75% of healthy women have had at least one episode of VVC in her life. Vaginal colonization by Candida spp. can vary from 10 to 17% and this is increased by 35% during pregnancy. The epidemiological behavior of Candida in VVC tends to be variable and this will depend on the level of vaginal estrogens, conditions of immunosuppression or chronicity of the process. Materials and Methods: the laboratory study included the direct examination of vaginal swabs, by fresh and differential staining of smears and cultures. The isolated species were identified by phenotypic tests and by multiplex PCR and CLSI M27-A3 microdilution method was used to evaluate susceptibility to fluconazole. Results: the frequent clinical diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, did not correspond with the laboratory diagnosis in which predominated the intermediate biota. The results showed Candida albicans as the most common isolated species, followed by Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei. Candida colonization occurred in 71.4% and 28.6% of the population was diagnosed with vaginal candidiasis. All isolates were susceptible to fluconazole. Conclusion: The most common factors for colonization were related to clothing and for vaginal candidiasis to the use of vaginal lubricants.</jats:p>

Second trimester vaginal Candida colonization among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo: prevalence, clinical correlates, risk factors and pregnancy outcomes

“…This vaginal Candida colonization (CC) is more prevalent in case of elevated endogenous estrogen levels, such as during pregnancy ( 4 ). CC can transition from a commensal state to a pathogenic state—vulvovaginal candidiasis—under certain conditions that are incompletely understood ( 4 , 5 ). Clinical therapy of vulvovaginal candidiasis is difficult due to the capacity of Candida to form biofilms ( 6 ) and withstand the host immune system ( 7 ).…”

Producción de nitrosaminas por Candida albicans y su relación con lesiones de la cavidad oral. Revisión de la literatura

“…La especie más importante desde el punto de vista médico odontológico como agente etiológico de infección es la Candida albicans, aunque se aislaron de cavidad bucal otras especies como C. krusei, C. parakrusei, C. tropicalis, C. seudotropicalis, C. stellatoidea, C. glabrata, C. dubliniensis, C. parapsilosisy C. guillermondii [6][7] .…”

Actividad de fosfolipasas y proteasas en aislamientos de especies de Candida colonizadoras y causantes de vulvovaginitis en mujeres gestantes

“…La candidiasis vulvovaginal es una infección que afecta especialmente a las mujeres en edad fértil, y se presenta al menos un episodio en el 75 % de las mujeres sanas (3). Candida albicans es responsable de la mayoría de los episodios de la candidiasis vulvovaginal, seguida por C. tropicalis o C. glabrata (3,4).…”

“…La candidiasis vulvovaginal es una infección que afecta especialmente a las mujeres en edad fértil, y se presenta al menos un episodio en el 75 % de las mujeres sanas (3). Candida albicans es responsable de la mayoría de los episodios de la candidiasis vulvovaginal, seguida por C. tropicalis o C. glabrata (3,4). Citación: Puello M, Young G, Suárez P. Actividad de fosfolipasas y proteasas en aislamientos de especies de Candida colonizadoras y causantes de vulvovaginitis en mujeres gestantes.…”

“…Por otro lado, entre los factores relacionados con el huésped se destaca el exceso de estrógenos en la vagina que, a su vez, determina la colonización por Candida spp., que sería el primer paso hacia la candidiasis vulvovaginal; este cambio aún no es muy bien entendido (3).…”