Identification of Candida species associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis by multiplex PCR.
BACKGROUND
Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a common infection. The aim of this study was to identify the species of vaginal Candida isolates by using multiplex PCR technique.


METHODS
191 isolates from patients admitted to Mahdieh hospital were identified. The vaginal swab specimens were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. The ITS1 region between the 18S and 5.8S rRNA genes and a specific DNA fragment within the ITS2 region were amplified. The multiplex PCR products were separated by electrophoresis in 2% agarose gel, visualized by staining with ethidium bromide, and photographed. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and Spearman correlation were used to summarize the findings.


RESULTS
C. albicans and C. glabrata were the most common species isolated from the specimens. A mix of C. glabrata and C. albicans was the most common mixed infection isolated from the samples. The analysis revealed a significant positive association between older age and infection with C. glabrata isolates (Spearman's rho = 0.89, P = 0.015).


CONCLUSIONS
Multiplex PCR is a fast, yet reliable method to identify Candida species. C. albicans and then C. glabrata are the two most common causes of vulvovaginal candidiasis. The number of mixed fungal infections is higher among Iranian population compared to international reports.
Skin Research Center, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mahnaz
M
Mahmoudi Rad
Ameneh Sh
ASh
Zafarghandi
Maryam
M
Amel Zabihi
Mahkam
M
Tavallaee
Yasaman
Y
Mirdamadi
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002175:Candida / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000382:microbiology*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis; D012307:Risk Factors
D004271:DNA, Fungal; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal