The epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidosis: A mycological perspective

Abstract

Vulvovaginal candidosis (VVC) is the second most common cause of vaginitis after bacterial vaginosis, and it is diagnosed in up to 40% of women with vaginal complaints in the primary care setting. Reliable diagnosis of VVC requires a correlation of clinical features with mycological evidence. The mycological methods used for diagnosis include microscopic examination, fungal culture, and antigen tests. Fungal culture can reveal the species of organism(s) responsible for the infection and provide epidemiological data. This report reviews current knowledge about the available diagnostic methods and tests that accurately diagnose VVC, and highlights the importance of fungal culture.

Keywords::

• Candida albicans
• chromogenic media
• immunochromatography
• microscopic examination
• polyfungal
• vaginitis

Acknowledgment

This study is dedicated to an outstanding obstetrician and gynecologist emeritus, Professor Nihat Arıdogan, who has the attitude and the substance of a genius and continually and convincingly conveyed a spirit of adventure in regard to research and an excitement in teaching for over 25 years in Çukurova University, Turkey.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and the writing of the paper.