RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of Candida sp. by cervical-vaginal cytology in patients from the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) and from the Private Network (RP). METHODS: A retrospective study on the results of cytology exams from the Souza Anatomy Laboratory of Maringá, Paraná state, Brazil, from 2004 to 2006. RESULTS: A total of 94,203 reports of cytology were evaluated, with a prevalence of Candida sp. of 4.94% (n = 4,655), with no significant variation in the two populations or among the 3 years studied (P > 0.05). Candida sp. predominated in both populations, aged between 20 and 39 years (P < 0.0001). The bacterial flora linked to Candida sp. was of lactobacilli (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: With the results obtained, it was noticed that the socio-economical level does not seem to influence the epidemiology of the Candida sp. and pointed to a balance in terms of numbers of this agent in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.