Identification of female genital tract infectious agents in patients treated for cytopathological diagnosis

Abstract

Vaginal candidiasis, fungal infection caused by species of Candida spp. that affects women of all ages, cultures, habits, social and economic conditions. The present study had as its main objective to determine the identification of Candida spp. isolated in a vaginal sample, collected together with the collection for the cytopathological exam, in women treated in a university extension project, aiming at allowing a suitable therapeutics afterwards. The extension project began in January 2014 to June 2019 at the UFRGS. The patients who sought the Laboratory of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis (LACT) of the Faculty of Pharmacy of UFRGS first answered a questionnaire to obtain epidemiological data. Cytopathological diagnosis, Papanicolao smear, and presence of Candida spp. yeast, culture and identification and Trichomonas vaginalis, light microscopy. During the study period, 227 patients, 25.11%, aged 15 to 82 years, presented positive culture for Candida spp. Six species were identified, C. albicans (40.35%), C. glabrata (28.07%) and C. parapsilosis, 15.79%. C. krusei, C. guilliermondii and C. tropicalis totaled (15.79%). Regarding the inflammatory process, present in 49.12%, in C. krusei (75%) and C. guilliermondii (100%), and absence in C. tropicalis. The correct diagnosis and treatment of patients with vaginal candidiasis, even if not considered sexually transmitted, enables to prevent contamination through direct contact, sexual or otherwise, with other individuals and the improvement of self-esteem and quality of life. The prevalence of Candida albicans is still the main cause of vaginal candidiasis, but not neglecting the increase in the number of cases associated with non-albicans species, as well as other infectious agents such as Trichomonas vaginalis, and bacteria.