Prevalence of Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis and Candida africana in pregnant women suffering from vulvovaginal candidiasis in Argentina / Prevalencia de Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis y Candida africana en mujeres gestantes con candidiasis vulvovaginal, en Argentina

Background. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a vulvovaginitis commonly diagnosed in gynecology care. In recent years, the taxonomy of the most important pathogenic Candida species, such as Candida albicans have undergone significant changes. Aims. This study examined the prevalence of C. albicans, Candida africana, and Candida dubliniensis in vaginal specimens from 210 pregnant women suffering from vulvovaginitis or having asymptomatic colonization. Methods. Phenotypic and molecular methods were used for the identification of the species. Results. During the studied period, 55 isolates of Candida or other yeasts were obtained from specimens collected from 52 patients suffering from vulvovaginitis (24.8%). C. albicans was the predominant Candida species in 42 isolates (80.7%), either alone or in combination with other species of the genus (5.7%, n=3). Additionally, nine isolates of C. albicans (50%) were obtained from asymptomatic patients (n=18). C. dubliniensis was the causative agent in 2 (3.8%) cases of VVC, and was also isolated in one asymptomatic patient. Molecular assays were carried out using specific PCR to amplify the ACT1-associated intron sequence of C. dubliniensis. The amplification of the HWP1 gene also correctly identified isolates of the species C. albicans and C. dubliniensis. No C. africana was isolated in this work. Some C. albicans isolates were either homozygous or heterozygous at the HWP1 locus. The distribution of heterozygous and homozygous C. albicans isolates at the HWP1 locus was very similar among patients suffering from VVC and asymptomatic patients (p=0.897). Conclusions. The presence of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis, and the absence of C. africana in pregnant is noteworthy (AU)

Antecedentes. La candidiasis vulvovaginal (CVV) es una vulvovaginitis comúnmente diagnosticada en la práctica ginecológica. En los años recientes la taxonomía de Candida albicans ha sufrido cambios significativos. Objetivos. En este estudio se examinó la prevalencia de C. albicans, Candida africana y Candida dubliniensis en las secreciones vaginales de 210 mujeres embarazadas con vulvovaginitis o colonización asintomática. Métodos. Se usaron métodos fenotípicos y moleculares para la identificación de las levaduras. Resultados. Un total de 55 aislamientos de Candida u otras levaduras se recuperaron a partir de muestras de 52 pacientes con vulvovaginitis (24,8%). La especie C. albicans fue predominante como especie única (42 aislamientos; 80,7%) o asociada con otras especies del género (5,7%, n=3). Nueve aislamientos de C. albicans (50%) se recuperaron de las pacientes asintomáticas (n=18). Se aisló C. dubliniensis en dos casos de CVV (3,8%) y en una paciente asintomática. Los estudios moleculares por PCR que amplifican la secuencia del intrón asociado al gen ACT1 confirmaron la presencia de esta especie. La amplificación del gen HWP1 confirmó la presencia de C. dubliniensis y C. albicans, y la ausencia de C. africana. Los aislamientos de C. albicans fueron homocigóticos o heterocigóticos en el locus HWP1; las pacientes con CVV y aquellas asintomáticas mostraron para esta especie una distribución similar de aislamientos homocigóticos o heterocigóticos en el locus HWP1 (p=0,897). Conclusiones. Destacamos la presencia de C. albicans y C. dubliniensis y la ausencia de C. africana en las CVV o en la colonización asintomática de las secreciones vaginales de las gestantes (AU)

Prevalence of Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis and Candida africana in pregnant women suffering from vulvovaginal candidiasis in Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a vulvovaginitis commonly diagnosed in gynecology care. In recent years, the taxonomy of the most important pathogenic Candida species, such as Candida albicans have undergone significant changes. AIMS: This study examined the prevalence of C. albicans, Candida africana, and Candida dubliniensis in vaginal specimens from 210 pregnant women suffering from vulvovaginitis or having asymptomatic colonization. METHODS: Phenotypic and molecular methods were used for the identification of the species. RESULTS: During the studied period, 55 isolates of Candida or other yeasts were obtained from specimens collected from 52 patients suffering from vulvovaginitis (24.8%). C. albicans was the predominant Candida species in 42 isolates (80.7%), either alone or in combination with other species of the genus (5.7%, n=3). Additionally, nine isolates of C. albicans (50%) were obtained from asymptomatic patients (n=18). C. dubliniensis was the causative agent in 2 (3.8%) cases of VVC, and was also isolated in one asymptomatic patient. Molecular assays were carried out using specific PCR to amplify the ACT1-associated intron sequence of C. dubliniensis. The amplification of the HWP1 gene also correctly identified isolates of the species C. albicans and C. dubliniensis. No C. africana was isolated in this work. Some C. albicans isolates were either homozygous or heterozygous at the HWP1 locus. The distribution of heterozygous and homozygous C. albicans isolates at the HWP1 locus was very similar among patients suffering from VVC and asymptomatic patients (p=0.897). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis, and the absence of C. africana in pregnant is noteworthy.