Vulvovaginal candidiasis: Retrospective study (2019- 2021) at the Centre Hospitalier National de Pikine, Suburban Dakar, Senegal

Authors:

DOI: 10.23880/oajmms-16000192

Volume 8, Issue 1

Abstract

This study was conducted to describe the epidemiological, clinical and para-clinical aspects of vulvovaginal candidiasis in the suburbs of Dakar, Senegal. It was a retrospective study conducted at the Pikine National Hospital in Senegal from January 2019 to December 2021. All women who were seen in the laboratory of Parasitology for biological examination of vaginal swabs and for who the results of direct examination and culture were available were included. A total of 2561 vaginal swabs were analyzed. They belonged to patients aged between 1 and 86 years, with a mean age of 30.98 (± 9.76) years. The majority (83.83%) were of childbearing age. Leucorrhea (18.13%) was the most common clinical indication. Candida species were found in 635 samples corresponding to a hospital frequency of 24.8%. Women of childbearing age were more likely to have this germ (91.02%). Of the identified Candida, 16.38% were classified as belonging to the Candida albicans complex. Candida spp. was also associated with other germs of which the most common was Gardnerella vaginalis. This study shows that vulvovaginal candidiasis is also a health problem in the suburbs of Dakar, Senegal. Other techniques should be used in conjunction with the filamentation test to identify the species in order to improve the therapeutic management of these infections.

Keywords: Vulvovaginal Candidiasis; Suburbs; Senegal

View PDF