A 5-year (2000-2004) epidemiological survey of Candida and non-Candida yeast species causing vulvovaginal candidiasis in Graz, Austria.
Vulvovaginal candidasis (VVC) is a common disease. The majority of cases is caused by Candida albicans, but in recent years an increase has been observed in the frequency of non-albicans Candida infections, especially due to C. glabrata and C. tropicalis. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of non-albicans Candida infections in patients suffering from VVC. Therefore, the statistical data of culture-confirmed VVC ascertained at the Institute of Hygiene (Medical University Graz) have been studied. Altogether, 10,463 samples from patients with vulvovaginal complaints were analysed in the years 2000-2004, a number of 3184 proved to be culture-positive for yeast. Candida albicans was the most prevalent cause in 87.9% of all cases. Non-albicans Candida yeast were detected in 12.1%, mainly C. glabrata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. During a 1-year period 185 patients showed more than one episode of VVC. Patients aged 21-40 years were significantly more prone to suffer from VVC compared with other age-related groups.
Paulitsch
A
A
Institute of Hygiene, Medical University, Graz, Austria. as.paulitsch@meduni-graz.at
Weger
W
W
Ginter-Hanselmayer
G
G
Marth
E
E
Buzina
W
W
D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D041221:Candida glabrata / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000302:isolation & purification