Prevalence of vaginal candidiasis in pregnant women. Identification of yeasts and susceptibility to antifungal agents
García Heredia, M.; García, S.D.; Copolillo, E.F.; Cora Eliseth, M.; Barata, A.D.; Vay, C.A.; de Torres, R.A.; Tiraboschi, N.; Famiglietti, A.M.R.
Revista Argentina de Microbiologia 38(1): 9-12
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0325-7541 PMID: 16784126 Document Number: 599780
Pregnant women are more susceptible to both vaginal colonization and infection by yeast. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence in pregnant women of yeasts isolated from vaginal exudates and their susceptibility to current antifungal drugs. A total of 493 patients were studied between December 1998 and February 2000 (Argentina). The prevalence of Candida spp. was 28% (C. albicans 90.4%; C. glabrata 6.3%; C. parapsilosis 1.1%, C. kefyr 1.1%; unidentified species 1.1%). The diffusion test in Shadomy agar was employed to determine the susceptibility to fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole and nystatin. All C. albicans, C. kefyr and C. parapsilosis isolates were susceptible in vitro to the antifungal agents tested, while 1 in 6 C. glabrata isolates showed resistance to azole drugs; all strains were susceptible to nystatin. In pregnant women, C. albicans was the yeast most frequently isolated from vaginal exudates; it continues to be highly susceptible to antifungal drugs. Azole resistance was detected only among C. glabrata isolates. Identification to the species level is recommended, specially in cases of treatment failure and recurrent or chronic infection.