Interaction between Candida and Lactobacillus species in patients with fungal vaginitis and healthy individuals.
Kamiar Zomorodian (IR), Mahbobeh Kharrazi (IR), Parvin Dehghan (IR)
[Zomorodian] Shiraz Unuversity of Medical Sciences, [Kharrazi] Shiraz University of Medical sciences, [Dehghan] Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
Context: Reproductive tract infections are among the most prevalent female diseases. Vaginal candidiasis is the second most common cause of vaginal infection. This infection result from the increase in number of Candida spp which exist in the vagina as normal flora. Lactobacilli colonizing in the female reproductive tracts control the over growth of these yeasts by different mechanisms. Objective: The present study aimed to determine the relationship between the presence of different species of Lactobacilli and overgrowth of Candida species in patients with vaginal candidiasis and healthy individuals. Patients and Methods: 42 women having vaginal candidiasis randomly selected as patient group and 21 ages matched asymptomatic women as control group. Collected vaginal discharge swabs were examined microscopically and cultured onto CHROMagar and MRS-agar for isolation of Candida and Lactobacilli species. Following counting the colony forming unites, the isolates yeasts and Lactobacilli were respectively identified by RapID Yeast plus and API-CHL medium. Results: Abnormal vaginal discharge was considered as the most prevalent symptom of vaginal candidiasis followed by itching, burning sensation, and lower abdominal pain. Of these symptoms, a significant negative association was found between the pH and itching. Among patients, the predominant species was C. albicans followed by C. glabrata and C. krusei. In both groups, L. acidophilus, L. delbrueckii and L. fermentum were isolated as the most frequent species. No significant difference in the number of lactobacilli colonies was found between the examined groups. Conclusions: No significant association was found between the number and species of lactobacillus and vaginal candidiasis. Further studies still need to clarify interaction between lactobacillus and vaginal candidiasis.