Abstract

Candida spp. is one of the most important fungal pathogens in the intensive neonatal care units associated with increased health care costs. This study was performed on 164 pregnant women (82 vaginal-routes and 82 cesarean-routes) and their infants. The vaginal samples were obtained using swabs from mothers prior to delivery. Swabs were taken from oral mucosa of all infants immediately after birth as well. Samples were inoculated onto Sabouraud dextrose agar and isolated species were obtained. Antifungal sensitivity was also evaluated against 3 different agents by disk diffusion method. The data were analyzed with Chi-square and Student t-test. Candida albicans and Candida krusei were the most common isolated species from mothers in vaginal and cesarean-route groups, respectively. Furthermore, C. albicans was the most common species in both neonate groups. There was significant difference in occurrence of Candida spp. on the oral mucosa between vaginally-born and cesarean-born infants whereas; there was no significant difference in occurrence of Candida spp. on the vaginal mucosa between mothers in vaginally and cesarean-route groups. Ketoconazole had higher antifungal activity in all studied groups. The type of delivery should be considered as a risk factor in neonatal candidiasis.

Key words: Candidiasis, neonates, cesarean and vaginal.