Species Distribution and In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility of Vulvovaginal Candida Isolates in China

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) was a common infection associated with lifelong harassment of woman's social and sexual life. The purpose of this study was to describe the species distribution and in vitro CandidaCandida spp.) isolated from patients with VVC over 8 years. Methods: Species which isolated from patients with VVC in Peking University First Hospital were identified using chromogenic culture media. Susceptibility to common antifungal agents was determined using agar diffusion method based on CLSI M44-A2 document. SPSS software (version 14.0, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for statistical analysis, involving statistical description and Chi-square test. Results: The most common strains were Candida (C.) albicans , 80.5% ( n = 1775) followed by C. glabrata , 18.1% ( n = 400). Nystatin exhibited excellent activity against all species ( C. albicans : clotrimazole (3.1% R) C. glabrata : miconazole (25.6% R) Candida krusei : clotrimazole (0 R) Conclusions: Nystatin was the optimal choice for the treatment of VVC at present. The species distribution and in vitro Candida spp. isolated from patients with VVC had changed over time.