Characterization of women with a history of recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis.
BACKGROUND
To characterize history, signs, and symptoms in women with a history of recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis (RVVC) and who had consulted with symptoms generally associated with the condition.


METHODS
Eighty-three women with a history consistent with RVVC were interviewed regarding 32 parameters and 10 signs found at the clinical examination were noted. Candida cultures were made from the introitus and the posterior vaginal fornix.


RESULTS
Only in a few of the 43 women with and the 40 without a positive yeast culture could any of the many etiological factors that have been associated with RVVC be traced. Only two factors differed between the groups, namely yogurt intake, which was reported by 28 (68%) and 38 (95%) women in these groups, respectively. Vaginal douching was performed by 10 (23%) women in the Candida-positive group and by 17 (42%) women in the Candida-negative group. Pruritus and burning occurred in 31 (72%) and 22 (51%) of culture-positive patients, which was less frequent than in the culture-negative group, i.e. reported by 19 (47%) and 9 (22%) patients, respectively (p = 0.022 and p = 0.007). Edema (p = 0.026) of the vulva as well as erythema (p = 0.019) and edema (p = 0.008) of the vaginal mucosa, caseous discharge (p = 0.016), were found more often in the Candida culture-positive cases.


CONCLUSIONS
History and results of clinical examination of patients with RVVC are not enough to distinguish those who are culture-positive from those who are culture-negative for Candida from the genital tract.
Novikova
Natalia
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Mårdh
Per-Anders
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination; D012008:Recurrence