PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF VAGINAL DISCHARGE AND PREVALENCE OF VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objective: To study the etiology of vaginal discharge and to detect prevalence of Candida in patients with vaginal discharge from patients attending at SMIMER medical college, Surat, Gujarat. Material & Methods: The present study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, SMIMER medical college, Surat during the period of July 2010 to October 2011. A total 410 suspected cases of vaginal discharge, attending Obstetrics & Gynaecology OPD were included in the study. Detailed history of all patients was taken. All women were subjected to gynecological examination, pH test and Whiff test. Two swabs were collected one for direct microscopy and one for culture and sent immediately to the laboratory for microbiological examination. Results: The percentage of Bacterial vaginosis was the highest (47.31%) followed by Candida species (29.75%), E.coli (11.98%), Gram positive cocci (3.41%) and least was Trichomonas vaginalis (1.21%). The age group which was most prone to the infection was 26-35years (41.68%), followed by 15-25 years (40.98%), 36-45 years (13.11%) and least in >46 years (4.23%). Among VVC various associated risk factors observed, like pregnancy (33.6%), OCPS (14.75%), Diabetes mellitus (13.93%) and HIV (5.73%). Conclusions: In our study the most common pathogen in vaginal infections was Bacterial vaginosis (47.31%) followed by Candida species (29.75%). Distribution of Candida species among different age groups showed the highest incidence in reproductive age group of 26 – 35 years, followed by 16 – 25 years. VVC is more common with risk factors like pregnancy and Diabetes mellitus.