Abstract

In Senegal, studies regarding the distribution of Candida species involved in vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and their antifungal susceptibility are scarce. Here we reported the frequency of Candida species isolated in VVC and their antifungal susceptibility in Dakar. A cross-sectional study included women referred to the laboratory of the Military Hospital of Ouakam for vaginal discharge was carried out. From each patient, two vaginal swabs and socio-demographic parameters were collected. The automated Vitek® 2 compact system determined species identification and antifungal susceptibility testing. Overall, 119 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 34.8 ± 10 years. The overall VVC prevalence was 31.93%, with the predominant Candida albicans (72%) followed by Candida glabrata (6.7%), Candida tropicalis (1.7%), and Candida kefyr (0.8%). C. albicans strains showed 100% susceptibility regarding the different antifungals except for flucytosine, in which two cases of resistance (8.34%) were noted. The observed susceptibility rates of C. glabrata to fluconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, amphotericin B, and flucytosine were 0, 100, 14.29, 100, 100 and 100%. C. tropicalis antifungal susceptibility was 100% for all tested drugs, while C. kefyr susceptibility was only noted for voriconazole and flucytosine. This study provides an overview of the distribution of Candida species involved in VVC in Dakar with C. albicans which showed a high susceptibility rate to the different antifungals.

Key words: Vulvovaginal candidiasis, antifungal susceptibility, Dakar.