Molecular diagnosis of vaginal candidiasis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and random amplification polymorphism DNA (RAPD-PCR) in Babylon Province, Iraq

Abstract

Most women suffer from severe vaginal candidiasis caused by Candida spp. Vaginal infections represent a second type of common disease. This infection occurs commonly in married and pregnant women and immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to survey, isolate and diagnose the vaginal Candida spp. using phenotypic and molecular assays. Candida isolates were recovered from patients attending main hospital in Babylon Province, Iraq from July 2011 to April 2012. Samples were subcultured on CHROMagar for preliminary identification of Candida isolates. Germ tube and chlamydospore formation were also performed to confirm identification. DNA of representative isolates was extracted for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and analyzed using gel image patterns of bands for different isolates based on ultraviolet transilluminator band software. Results show that CHROMagar was a good tool for preliminary identification of Candida isolates. Molecular identification of PCR and random amplification polymorphism DNA (RAPD-PCR) assays were used to group the representative Candida isolates into different genetic patterns; phylogenetic tree was generated based on the information available in gel images. This study concludes that PCR and RAPD PCR assays confirmed more the diagnosis of Candida isolates than culture on CHROMagar medium and other phenotypic tests.

Identification of Candida Species Using Phenotypic and Molecular Methods Isolated from Women Infected with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Maysan, Iraq

“…33 The colors of colonies of tested Candida on CHROM agar Candida confirmed our findings and agreed with several studies (Table 2). 34,20,22 C. albicans and C. dubliniensis showed capability to form germ tubes and chlamydospores and grow in the presence of cycloheximide, this result agrees with Alam et al 35 and Farahyar et al, 36 . Four species grow well at 45°C, except C. dubliniensis and C. parapsilosis.…”

“…The majority of women infected with vaginal candidiasis which represents the second kind of vaginal infection. 20 VVC is a disturbing infection that infects more than 75% of women at least once during their lifetime. 18 Identification experiments showed that out of 100 vaginal samples, forty-five (45%) revealed positive results on SDA, 20 2), this result is in agreement with most studies, except for some exceptions.…”

“…20 VVC is a disturbing infection that infects more than 75% of women at least once during their lifetime. 18 Identification experiments showed that out of 100 vaginal samples, forty-five (45%) revealed positive results on SDA, 20 2), this result is in agreement with most studies, except for some exceptions. 29 The results indicated that both C. albicans and C. dubliniensis have the ability to form germ tubes and chlamydospores and grow in SDA-containing cycloheximide in contrast to other species.…”

“…Candidiasis affects women of reproductive age, especially married and pregnant women, with an immune-suppressed system that includes about 15-25% of vaginitis cases. 20,16 C. albicans is the main cause of VVC in women and represents about 80-95%, while non-albicans Candida species are responsible for (5-20%) of VVC infections. Non-albicans Candida species, including C. glabrata, C. arapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, and others are stated as causative agents of VVC.…”