title: [Place of vulvovaginal candidiasis in the lower genital tract infections and associated risk factors among women in Benin].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determine the place of vulvo-vaginal candidiasis (VVC) in the lower genital infections and seek risk factors among women in Benin.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in the laboratory of mycology of Hôpital de la Mère et de l'Enfant Lagune (Homel) from 1st March to 31st July, 2013. It involved all the women who were asked a vaginal swab and gave their consent in written form. After administration of a questionnaire, the vaginal samples were collected with sterile cotton swabs for a test with potassium hydroxide, an estimation of vaginal pH, direct microscopic examination, fresh, and after a Gram stain and culture on Sabouraud-chloramphenicol, ordinary agar and fresh blood agar.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and thirty-one women were included in the study period. Clinical signs were dominated by vaginal discharge (74.8%), followed by vulvar pruritus (51.9%) and dyspareunia (36.6%). Culture on Sabouraud was positive in 51 cases or 38.9%. Candida albicans was isolated in 96.1% of cases, against 3.9% of Candida glabrata. The risk factors involved were: pregnancy, antibiotics, synthetic underclothing and frequent wearing tight pants. In addition of Candida, Gardnerella vaginalis was found in 36.6% of samples with an association with C. albicans in 28.2% of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that vulvovaginal candidiasis is the leading cause of lower genital tract infections in women in Benin with involvement of several risk factors which research is needed to develop appropriate preventive measures.
authors.affiliation: Unité d'enseignement et de recherche de parasitologie mycologie, faculté des sciences de la santé (FSS), 01 BP 188, Cotonou, Bénin; Hôpital de la mère et de l'enfant Lagune, 01 BP 107, Cotonou, Bénin. Electronic address: aurorefel@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ogouyèmi-Hounto
authors.affiliation: Clinique universitaire de gynécologie-obstétrique, BP 57, Cotonou, Bénin.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adisso
authors.affiliation: Hôpital de la mère et de l'enfant Lagune, 01 BP 107, Cotonou, Bénin.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Djamal
authors.affiliation: Hôpital de la mère et de l'enfant Lagune, 01 BP 107, Cotonou, Bénin.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sanni
authors.affiliation: Hôpital de la mère et de l'enfant Lagune, 01 BP 107, Cotonou, Bénin.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Amangbegnon
authors.affiliation: Hôpital de la mère et de l'enfant Lagune, 01 BP 107, Cotonou, Bénin.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Biokou-Bankole
authors.affiliation: Unité d'enseignement et de recherche de parasitologie mycologie, faculté des sciences de la santé (FSS), 01 BP 188, Cotonou, Bénin.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kinde Gazard
authors.affiliation: Unité d'enseignement et de recherche de parasitologie mycologie, faculté des sciences de la santé (FSS), 01 BP 188, Cotonou, Bénin.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Massougbodji
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001541:Benin / Q000453:epidemiology; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D041221:Candida glabrata / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D060737:Reproductive Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Benin; Bénin; Candidose vulvo-vaginale; Facteurs de risque; Prevalence; Prévalence; Risk factors; Vulvovaginal candidiasis