Aboagye George, Waikhom Sayanika, Asiamah Emmanuel Akomanin, Tettey Clement Okraku, Mbroh Hintermann, Smith Cecilia, Osei George Yiadom, Asafo Adjei Karikari, Asmah Richard Harry
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana.
Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana.
Microbiol Spectr. 2025 Jul;13(7):e0078725. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.00787-25. Epub 2025 Jun 2.
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common fungal infection, affecting approximately 75% of women at least once in their lifetime. is the predominant pathogen, responsible for 85%-90% of symptomatic cases. This study assessed the prevalence and antifungal susceptibility patterns of species isolated from pregnant women with VVC to determine species-specific resistance trends and treatment implications. A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2020 and July 2023 at Ho Teaching Hospital and Ho Municipal Hospital, the primary referral health facilities in the Volta Region. A total of 205 pregnant women across all trimesters participated. Vaginal swabs were collected and cultured for species isolation and identification. Antifungal susceptibility of the isolates was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method against clotrimazole (10 µg), fluconazole (10 µg), itraconazole (10 µg), and nystatin (100 IU). The prevalence of VVC among participants was 50.7%. was most frequent (22.9%), followed by (14.1%), (9.3%), (2.4%), and (2.0%). exhibited high susceptibility to clotrimazole (87.2%) and nystatin (87.2%) but lower susceptibility to fluconazole (44.7%) and itraconazole (44.7%). Resistance was observed, particularly in to fluconazole (100%). The findings highlight the diversity of species in VVC and the necessity of species-specific antifungal therapy. Laboratory diagnostics are critical to guide treatment and mitigate antifungal resistance. Routine surveillance and judicious antifungal use are vital to preventing resistance, while antenatal visits offer opportunities for education on VVC prevention and management.IMPORTANCEVulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common yeast infection that affects many women, especially during pregnancy. This study examined how often VVC occurs in pregnant women and how well different antifungal treatments work. The researchers who studied 205 pregnant women in Ho, Volta Region, Ghana, found that over half (50.7%) had VVC. The most common fungus was , but other types, such as and , were also present-and some were resistant to common antifungal drugs. While clotrimazole and nystatin were effective, many fungi were resistant to fluconazole and itraconazole medications, which are often used to treat infections. Since untreated VVC can lead to complications such as preterm birth, the study emphasizes the need for early testing and tailored treatments to prevent health risks, the importance of routine screenings during pregnancy, and better awareness about safe and effective antifungal treatments.
外阴阴道念珠菌病（VVC）是一种常见的真菌感染，约75%的女性在其一生中至少会感染一次。白色念珠菌是主要病原体，导致85%-90%的有症状病例。本研究评估了从患有VVC的孕妇中分离出的念珠菌属物种的流行情况和抗真菌药敏模式，以确定物种特异性耐药趋势及治疗意义。2020年11月至2023年7月期间，在沃尔特地区的主要转诊医疗机构霍教学医院和霍市立医院进行了一项横断面研究。共有来自所有孕期的205名孕妇参与。收集阴道拭子并进行培养以分离和鉴定念珠菌属物种。采用 Kirby-Bauer 纸片扩散法评估分离株对克霉唑（10µg）、氟康唑（10µg）、伊曲康唑（10µg）和制霉菌素（100IU）的抗真菌药敏性。参与者中VVC的患病率为50.7%。白色念珠菌最为常见（22.9%），其次是光滑念珠菌（14.1%）、热带念珠菌（9.3%）、近平滑念珠菌（2.4%）和克柔念珠菌（2.0%）。白色念珠菌对克霉唑（87.2%）和制霉菌素（87.2%）表现出高敏感性，但对氟康唑（44.7%）和伊曲康唑（44.7%）的敏感性较低。观察到有耐药情况，特别是克柔念珠菌对氟康唑的耐药率为100%。研究结果突出了VVC中念珠菌属物种的多样性以及物种特异性抗真菌治疗的必要性。实验室诊断对于指导治疗和减轻抗真菌耐药性至关重要。常规监测和合理使用抗真菌药物对于预防耐药性至关重要，而产前检查为VVC的预防和管理提供了教育机会。
外阴阴道念珠菌病（VVC）是一种常见的酵母菌感染，影响许多女性，尤其是在孕期。本研究调查了VVC在孕妇中的发生频率以及不同抗真菌治疗的效果。在加纳沃尔特地区霍市对205名孕妇进行研究的人员发现，超过一半（50.7%）的孕妇患有VVC。最常见的真菌是白色念珠菌，但也存在其他类型，如光滑念珠菌和热带念珠菌，并且有些对常见抗真菌药物耐药。虽然克霉唑和制霉菌素有效，但许多真菌对常用于治疗感染的氟康唑和伊曲康唑药物耐药。由于未经治疗的VVC可导致早产等并发症，该研究强调需要进行早期检测和针对性治疗以预防健康风险、孕期常规筛查的重要性以及提高对安全有效的抗真菌治疗的认识。
