A LTHOUGH the incidence of vaginitis caused by non-albicans Candida tends to be increased, C. albicans still the main causative agent of vaginitis Candida. Eighty-eight vaginal swab samples were collected from women with acute vaginitis in Qena, Egypt. Of 50 isolates, 39 admitted into C. albicans and 11 non-albicans Candida isolates (78% and 22% prevalence, respectively) were identified. Youths were more susceptible to infection with vulvovaginal Candida, the rate of infection decreased with increase education levels and the risk of infection was greater among douching use women. All isolates belonging to Candida taxa were positive to proteinase activity and 48 (96%) were lipase producers. Non-albicans Candida (C. glabrata, C. tropicalis and C. krusei) were more proteinase producers than C. albicans (P< 0.000). Compared with C. tropicalis, the other isolated Candida exhibited less lipase activity (P< 0.000). The higher lipase capacity of C. tropicalis may reflect their increased prevalence among non-albicans Candida group. Among five essential oils, cinnamon and clove oils showed strong efficacy against isolated Candida strains compared with miconazole antifungal.