Prevalence of Candida spp. and age-related disparities amongst women presenting with vaginitis at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) Clinic in a Tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Vaginitis, an infection of the lower genital tract in women, is known to be triggered by the overgrowth of the vagina's naturally occurring microorganisms.

OBJECTIVE

This study looked at the prevalence of Candida spp. and age-related disparities amongst women presenting with vaginitis at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) clinic in a tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

METHODS

One hundred high vaginal swabs were collected from pregnant and non-pregnant women and examined microscopically and microbiologically.

RESULTS

Age-group 20-29 years had the highest incidence of candidal vaginitis. There was a higher occurrence of yeast cells in pregnant than in non-pregnant participants while the non-pregnant women had a greater level of bacterial cells. Forty (40) of the samples contained yeasts of Candida species representing a 40% prevalence. Three species of Candida were identified with C. albicans dominating. Of the 40 samples positive for Candida spp., 30 (75.0%) were confirmed to be C. albicans. The remaining isolates were C. tropicalis (15.0%) and C. parapsilosis (10.0%).

CONCLUSION

The findings in this study would play a role in the future management of Candida-induced vaginitis.