Antifungal susceptibility pattern of species isolated from pregnant women.

INTRODUCTION

species, opportunistic yeast, are the second most common cause of female vulvovaginal candidiasis. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal susceptibility profile of the isolated  species in pregnant women in Hajjah governorate, Yemen.

METHODS

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 396 pregnant women attending Authority AL-Gumhorri Hospital Hajjah between February and July 2023. Vaginal swabs were collected, and  species were isolated and identified based on the standard laboratory method. Furthermore, the antifungal drug susceptibility of  species was determined by the Kirby-Bauer technique.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The prevalence of vaginal infection among pregnant women was 61.4%.  was the most predominant species (59.26%), followed by (13.58%), (11.12%), (9.87%), and (6.17%). The highest rate of  infections was among women aged 24-30 years (71.9%) who finished primary school (77.8%), with the third trimester (80%), multigravida (66.1%), and recurrent infection (67.7%) showing significant differences (P < 0.05). The isolates were resistant to clotrimazole and itraconazole at 34.7% and 23.6%, respectively.In addition, the resistance of , , , and isolates to fluconazole, voriconazole, voriconazole, and nystatin was 57.6%, 63%, 43.8%, and 60%, respectively. Additionally, approximately 46.2% of isolated exhibited one kind of antifungal drug resistance, whereas 38.7% of isolated non-albicans exhibited resistance to three different antifungal agents. According to the above findings, infection is highly prevalent in Yemen and quite widespread. Interventions in health education are advised to increase women's knowledge of vaginitis and its prevention. The antifungal susceptibility test may also be helpful in determining the best medication for each patient.