Frequency of Vaginal Thrush among Symptomatic Pregnant Women in Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

Reproductive tract infection is an important public health problem worldwide especially in developing countries. Vaginal candidiasis is a fungal or yeast infection of the vulva and/or vagina, that caused by opportunist yeast, this infection is not a sexually transmitted one. Women have a very high chance of developing vaginal candidiasis and probably have at least one during their lifetime. Having a pregnancy or diabetes makes them more vulnerable to this vaginal infection. The current study conducted to determine the frequency of vaginal candidiasis and the occurrence of Candida species in pregnant women in Khartoum State. In this cross sectional descriptive study, two high vaginal swabs (n=200) were collected from 100 pregnant women, present with vaginal discharge, and other symptoms of vaginal candidiasis attended Omdurman Maternity Hospital and Alribat Teaching Hospital from the period between July to October 2022, Candida species were isolated and identified by conventional method, Germ Tube Test (GTT) and Chromagar method. Data was analysed with statistical package of social science (SPSS). In this study 28 / 100 (28%) swab samples showed a growth on the Sabouraud's dextrose agar and 72 / 100 (72%) were negative yeast growth. GTT and Chromagar method were used to differentiate between candida spp. According to GTT there were 15 out of positive 28 isolate (53.5%) Candida albicans and 13 (46.4%) Non albicans Candida (NAC). 18 (64.2%) were Candida albicans, 6 (21.4%) Candida tropicalis, 3 (10.7%) Candida krusei and 1 (3.5%) other species according to Chromagar method. Insignificant statistical association was found between vaginal candidiasis with age, duration of trimester, DM and past vaginitis, while significant statistical association was found between vaginal candidiasis with occupation, education level, antibiotic treatment and clinical symptoms. In conclusion this study showed that vaginal candidiasis infection was common in pregnant women and frequency was significantly higher in the third trimester. Candida albicans was the predominant species, and there was an association between vaginal candidiasis with occupation, education level, antibiotic treatment and clinical presentation.