Comparative Study of Vaginal Candidiasis in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women Attending Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Specialist Hospital and General Hospital, Minna Niger State, Nigeria

Candidiasis is a fungal infection due to any type of Candida (a type of yeast). Vaginal candidiasis is common during pregnancy and may impact negatively on the health of the woman. The aim of this study is to determine and compare the prevalence of vaginal candidiasis among pregnant and non-pregnant women attending Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Specialist Hospital and General Hospital in Minna, Niger state, Nigeria were screened for vaginal candidiasis. High vaginal swab (HVS) were each collected from 20 pregnant and 20 non-pregnant women attending General Hospital, Minna also 20 pregnant women and 20 non pregnant women at IBB (Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida) Specialist Hospital, Minna, Niger state, Nigeria and screened for vaginal candidiasis. Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) incorporated with chloramphenicol was used to isolate the Candida species in the HVS samples. Candida isolates were identified and characterized using standard methods including: colonial morphology (macroscopic characteristics), microscopy (Sugar fermentation) tests. Confirmation of Candida albicans was done with the Germ Tube Test. (Gram staining and Lactophenol cotton blue staining) and biochemical (Sugar fermentation) tests. Thirteen samples tested showed positive for candida species. The species identified were Candida albicans (Nine), Candida krusei (two), Candida tropicalis (One), and Candida pseudotropicalis (one) for pregnant women in General Hospital. Ten samples taken from pregnant women in Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida Specialist Hospital were positive reactions for Candida species. Nine out of twenty samples collected from non-pregnant women in General Hospital were Candida species while three out of twenty samples from non-pregnant women from Ibrahim Babangida Specialist Hospital tested positive to Candida species. Within the samples space 45% and 25% of the pregnant women considered in the study in General Hospital and IBB Specialist Hospital respectively had Candida albicans, while amongst the non-pregnant sample space, the infection rate was 10% for both study locations.

This result showed vaginal candidiasis is more prevalent in pregnant women than non-pregnant women which may lead to pregnancy complications like abortions, premature birth, low birth weight and other morbidities. Screening protocol incorporated with routine ante-natal checkup for early diagnosis of Candidiasis and its treatment is hereby recommended.