Candidosis of the genital tract in non-pregnant women

Abstract

Of 300 non-pregnant women seen in an STD clinic, 94 (31.3%) harboured C. albicans or C. glabrata in the genital tract; 84 of these women (89.4%) had at least one moderate or marked symptom or clinical sign. Of the 94 women with Candida, 50 had another genital infection; 38% of these 50 women had at least one moderate or marked symptom or clinical sign, compared with 75% of the 44 women with no other infection. This difference is significant. Of the 146 women taking oral contraceptives, 51 (34.9%) had Candida, compared with 43 (27.9%) of the 154 women who were not. The incidence of trichomoniasis, anaerobic vaginitis and non-specific genital infection was lower among women with Candida than among the others.

PIP: This prospective study was aimed at determining the prevalence of specific signs and symptoms in nonpregnant women harboring Candida albicans in the lower genital tract. Of 300 women randomly selected from a sexually transmitted diseases clinic, 93 (31%) harbored C albicans and 1 carried C glabrata in the lower genital tract. Perineal isolations were recorded in 58 (62%) of the 94 women with Candida. 50 of the women had another genital infection. 84 (89%) of the 94 women with Candida had at least 1 moderate or marked symptom or clinical sign, predominantly vaginal discharge. Of the 300 women studied, 146 were using oral contraceptives (OCs); 51 (35%) of OC users had Candida compared with 43 (28%) of nonusers--a nonsignificant difference. Finally, the incidence of trichomoniasis, anaerobic vaginitis, and other nonspecific genital infection was lower among women with Candida than among the others.