VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS AS A COMPLICATION OF SEXUAL TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN WOMEN REFERRED TO GYNECOLOGY CLINIC IN SOUTHEAST OF IRAN

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) or Candida vaginitis is a common fungal infection among adult women during reproductive ages and is the second most frequent infection of the female genital tract. This study was designed to determination of clinical findings and the species generating Vulvovaginal candidiasis in women referred to gynecology clinic in Chabahar. In this study all of 400 vaginal samples were examined with the wet smear methods and cultured on sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and (CMA). Germ tube te st and sugar assimilation test (API) were carried out to differentiate the Candida species in Chabahar in 2014. The data analysis was done using the SPSS software version 18.0 and chi - square and T student tests. In this study the prevalence of Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) was 45.8% and the Candida albicans with (80.87%) and Candida non - albicans with (19.13%) were reported as generated species of Vulvovaginal candidiasis respectively. However, there was no statistically significant correlation between the demographic factors, age at marriage and educational level with infection. But there was statistically significant relationship between burning, itching, malodorous discharge, vaginal parity, pH of the vagina, cervix appearance, consistency and color disch arge with infection. Considering the prevalence of non - albicans species is increasing due to inappropriate antifungal therapy and on the other hand, recurrent infections, is also rising. It is recommended, vaginal Candida culture method (with high sensitiv ity) should be performed routinely in medical laboratory and with the determination of species and drug susceptibilities, appropriate medication is prescribed.