Prevalence of vaginal yeast infections in pregnant and non-pregnant women attending at Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of the tertiary care center in Central region of Nepal

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Microbiology, Chitwan Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, 44200, Chitwan, Nepal

2 Department of Physiology, Chitwan Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, 44200, Chitwan, Nepal

Abstract

Background: Candida albicans represents the most abundant opportunistic strain. Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis and Candida lusitaniae may also mount infection under opportunistic conditions. The presence of candidal infection in the vagina is specified as a vaginal candidiasis. During pregnancy, vaginitis is more common, and there is a high chance of recurrent infection. In pregnancy, higher level of estrogen enhances the attachment of yeast cells to vaginal mucosa due to which woman are more susceptible to yeast infection. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the fungal burden of candidiasis in pregnant and non-pregnant ladies at a tertiary care centre in central region of Nepal. Methods: The study was conducted after receiving the approval from the Institutional Review Committee of Chitwan Medical College and Teaching Hospital (CMCTH). The recent study was carried in 150 women of child bearing age group visiting the Department of Gynecology and obstetrics at CMCTH during a period of 6 months from October 2020 to January 2021. The isolates were subjected to microscopy, culture and identification. Results: Among 150 samples processed in our microbiology laboratory during the study period, 41.7% of non-pregnant ladies were found to be positive for Candida sp. and 55.5% of the pregnant ladies were positive for Candida species. Conclusions: The ladies of child bearing age group are at high risk of vaginal candidiasis in Central region of Nepal. The present study shows that age and pregnancy both influences the colonization of fungi in women.

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