Journal of Women's Health Care
Open Access

Abstract

Identification and Characterization of Candida on CHROMAgar™ in Pregnant Women of Multan, Pakistan

Sidra Manzoor, Mubashar Aziz and Ahsan Sattar Sheikh

Introduction: Infections to vagina with fungi/yeast are ten times more common during pregnancy because of hormonal and biochemical fluctuations. Increased use of antibiotics and presence of high levels of reproductive hormones during pregnancy also stimulate yeast colonization with Candida species. These two contributes significantly to be an important risk factor in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) and Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), a complication during pregnancies. Overall occurrence of UTI/vaginal yeast infections increases with progression of pregnancy and maximizes by third trimester worldwide.
Study parameters: In the current study, pregnant women were look for presence of UTI by Candida species in different trimesters within the city of Multan. The total of 70 women with different gestational stages, attending gynecologists, aged 18-39 years were included in the investigation. A clean catch urine samples were cultured on CHROMAgar™ Candida, a selective medium, for the isolation and presumptive identification of yeast species. Of all samples, 25 women (36%) were positive for Candida yeast infection (symptomatically and asymptomatically). Colonies were identified as C. albicans (48%), C. krusei (16%), C. tropicalis (16%) along with some mixed infections with C. parapsilosis and C. krusei. Two of the mixed cultures (8%) were isolated with C. albicans and C. tropicalis, one (4%) with C. albicans and C. krusei, one (4%) with C. tropicalis and C. krusei.
Results: The highest incidence, 36% (n=9/25), of candiduria was recorded in the age group of 30-35 years. The colony counts in urine were also studied in different gestational stages and age. Total of 23% isolations share high counts (>1000 CFU/mL). While other 33% have intermediate (<600 CFU/mL) and 30% isolates were with low colony counts (<150 CFU/mL). The species distribution in these positive specimens reveals increased percentages of nonalbicans species with increasing gestational stage.
Conclusion: From these findings it is concluded that incidence of candiduria in pregnant women were higher in 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy with an increase in mixed Candida infections in young women. It is recommended to educate the group so that less young individuals are affected.