Detection ofCandidaSpecies in Vaginal Samples in a Clinical Laboratory Setting

Abstract

Objective.To present the detection rates ofCandidaspecies in vaginal samples from patients visiting physicians.Methods.The presence ofC. albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosisandC. tropicalisin 3978 vaginal swabs from patients in six US states was detected by PCR amplification.Results.Candida DNA was detected in 33.1% of the population studied. Of the 1316 positive samples, 80.2% containedC. albicans, 14.3% containedC. glabrata, 5.9% containedC. parapsilosisand 8.0% containedC. tropicalis. Comparing samples by patients' state of residence revealed an association with the detection ofC. glabrata(p=0.029). Comparing samples by patients' age revealed a decrease in the overall detection ofCandida(p< 0.001) andC. albicans(p< 0.001), concomitant with an increase in the detection ofC. glabrata(p< 0.001) andC. parapsilosis(p= 0.025).Conclusions.These results provide geographic- and age-specific data on fourCandidaspecies associated with vaginitis.