An-Najah Staff

Background Candida albicans is one of the most important etiological agents causing vaginal candidiasis in pregnant womem. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are significant relations between C. albicans genotypes and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) conditions such as ( intense vulval pruritus, erythema, burning and dyspareunia associated with a creamy discharge age), residence and predisposing factors such as ( presence of vaginal candidiasis at pregnancy, prolonged administration of antibiotics, tight clothes, and no predisposing factor). Methods This study was conducted during the period from May 2010 to November 2010, The subjects of the study were pregnant women with vaginal candidiasis from Jenin area. A total of 104 isolates of C. albicans were isolated from 104 pregnant women with vaginal candidiasis. Patients were divided into groups according to the VVC conditions such as (intense vulval pruritus, erythema, burning and dyspareunia associated with a creamy discharge age), age, place of residence and predisposing factors. Genotypes were identified using polymerase chain reactions (PCR) targeting 25S rDNA and ALT repeat sequences of the RPS. Results Fourteen genotypes were detected. Significant relation was found between genotypes and the VVC conditions such as ( intense vulval pruritus, erythema, burning and dyspareunia associated with a creamy discharge age), and patients age. However, no significant relation was found between genotypes and place of residence or predisposing factors. We found that genotype A (62.5%) had the highest frequency on the basis of amplification of 25SrDNA, while genotype IV (42.3%) had the highest frequency on the basis of amplification of RPS , and genotype A-IV (26%) had the highest frequency on the basis of amplification of 25S rDNA and RPS. Conclusion A significant association exists between genotypes of VVC strains and VVC conditions such as (intense vulval pruritus, erythema, burning and dyspareunia associated with a creamy discharge age), and patients age groups in this study. On the others hand, the genotypes of VVC strains were not related to predisposing factors or patients residence. Differences in genotype distribution between our results and other studies, may be attributed to differences in study populations, demographic characteristics and geographical locations.