Analysis of Candida species causing vulvovaginal candidiasis

Objective To analyze Candida species causing vulvovaginal candidiasis in Qingdao and surrounding areas.Methods Vaginal discharge specimens were collected from 362 patients with suspected vulvovaginal candidiasis in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College from May 2011 to November 2011,and subjected to routine fungal culture.The Candida isolates were identified by using Sabouraud dextrose agar,CHROMagar medium,germ tube test with serum,and API 20C AUX Clinical Yeast System.Results Totally,313 (86.46％) Candida strains were isolated from the specimens of 362 patients.Of these Candida strains,275 were identified as Candida albicans,38 as non-albicans Candida species,including 13 Candida glabrata strains,8 Candida parapsilosis strains,7 Candida tropicalis strains,5 Candida krusei strains,1 Candida lusitaniae strain,1 Candida dubliniensis strain,1 Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain,1 Pichia ohmeri strain and 1 Trichosporon mucoides strain.Conclusions As far as vulvovaginal candidiasis is concerned,Candida albicans is still the most prevalent pathogen,and Candida glabrata appears to be the predominant species in pathogenic non-albicans Candida species.