THE INCIDENCE OF CANDIDIASIS AMONG SINGLE AND MARRIED WOMEN OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS

ABSTRACT

Vulvovaginal candidiasis, involving the vulva and vagina of women, is a frequent condition that causes physical and psychological distress to the individual involved. This disease is mostly caused by Candida albicans. This study assessed the incidence of candidiasis among single and married women of different age groups. Hundred (100) samples were collected and analyzed. The identification and confirmation of Candida was done based on culture, microscopy and biochemical tests. 30(54.5%) were infected with candidiasis among the single women and 25(55.5%) were infected among the married women out of the number examined from singles (55) and from married (45). Among the different age groups, women aged between 23 - 27 years presented the highest level of infection of 13(41%) out of the 32 samples examined from this age group among the single women and 11(73%) out of the 15 samples examined from this age group among married women. The lowest infection rate was seen among single women aged 33 years and above with a percentage of 100% (2 positive samples) out of the 2 women examined from this age group. Among the married women, the lowest infectiob rate was observed among those aged between 18 and 22 years with a percentage of 50% (1 positive sample) out of the 2 samples examined. This study shows that the incidence of Candida albicans infection in women is quite high and can be reduced if improved personal hygiene and adequate medical services are available. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page                                                                                                                    i

Certification                                                                                                               ii

Dedication                                                                                                                  iii

Acknowledgements                                                                                                    iv

Table of contents                                                                                                        v

List of tables                                                                                                               vii       

Abstract                                                                                                                      viii

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION                                                                                                    1

1.1       Aims and Objectives of the Study                                                                  3

1.2       Scope of the Study                                                                                          3

1.3       Statement of Problem                                                                                     3

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW                                                                                        5

2.1       Vulvovaginal Candidiasis                                                                               6

2.1.1    Causes of Vulvuvaginal Candidiasis                                                              6

2.2       Pathogenesis of Candida albicans                                                                 7

2.2.1    Transmission                                                                                                   7

2.2.2    Infectious dose, Incubation and Colonization                                                7

2.3       Virulence Factors                                                                                            8

2.3.1    Polymorphism                                                                                                8

2.3.2    Adhesins                                                                                                         8

2.3.3    Invasins                                                                                                           9

2.3.4    Biofilm Formation                                                                                          9

2.3.5    Secreted Hydrolases                                                                                       10

2.3.6    Metabolic Adaption                                                                                        10

2.4       Signs and Symptoms of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis                                        11

2.5       Predisposing Factors to Vulvovaginal Candidiasis                                        11

2.6       Diagnosis of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis                                                         12

2.7       Treatment and Prevention                                                                              14

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY                                                                                                   17

3.1       Population of the Study                                                                                  17

3.2       Preparation of Culture Media                                                                         17

3.3       Sample Collection                                                                                          17

3.4       Isolation and Identification of Candida                                                          17

3.4.1    Microbiological Analyses                                                                               17

3.4.2    Biochemical tests                                                                                            18

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS                                                                                                                  20

CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION                                                                      30

REFERENCES                                                                                                         32

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1            Age Distribution of Single  Women and the Frequency of Occurence of Candidiasis                          22

Table 2            Age Distribution of Married Women and the Frequency of Occurence of Candidiasis           23

Table 3            Percentage of Occurence of Candidiasis among the Single and Married Women Examined                  24

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

The Candida albicans infection is a yeast infection of the mouth, skin and urogenital tract of men and women, young and old. It is the genus mostly incriminated in candidiasis of the urogenital tract. Other species of Candida incriminated in this disease condition are Candida tropicalis, Candida stellatoides, Candida parapsilosis and Candida crusei. According to report of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2001, there are more than twenty (20) species of genus Candida that can cause infection in humans.

The distribution of Candida albicans is widely seen in normal and healthy individuals, and is usually found in mouth, gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts of females where they exist as normal flora. Yeast infections usually occur in warm and moist parts of the body (Berual et al., 1996).

It flourishes in individuals with high blood sugar (Sobel, 2007), and can also be found in other dark areas of the body. Clothing that is too tight or made of nylon materials that can trap heat and moisture may lead to yeast infection (Pappas, 2006). Other predisposing factors such as pregnancy, diabetes, broad spectrum antibiotics therapy administration of corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs, drug addiction and immunological deficiencies support the growth of Candida (Priotta and Garland, 2006). Besides, systematic conditions such as vitamin B deficiency, hypothyroidism and lymphoblastoma favours Candida infection (Morgan, 2005; Pfaller and Diekema, 2007). From the fore going, it is evident that the treatment of other infections with broad spectrum antibiotics increases the number of persons habouring Candida in their intestine, vagina and perianal sites (Morgan, 2005; Hidalgo, 2013). The effect of antibiotics on proliferation of Candida is based on the fact that these drugs militate against susceptible microflora antagonistic to the fungi (Cheesebrough, 1991), thereby enhancing their growth. Traumatic ulceration, postoperative situations, malnutrition, malignancy and anemia also predisposes Candidiasis.

Candida albicans infection manifests in different parts of the body. In the vagina are found itching, redness and a thick white vaginal discharge with occasional white patches on the skin of the vaginal area. The irritation from vaginal Candidiasis is responsible for the physical discomfort experienced by some patients. The offensive vaginal discharge is a product of organic decomposition of the proteinous component on the vaginal mucosa. Vaginal Candidiasis of pregnant women may occur as mild vaginal infection and may not be connected with infection of the anus.

Vaginal and vulva Candidiasis is also found at high frequency among sexually active people hence, the choice of age brackets under study. Accordingly, as a girl matures, hormonal changes takes place making them more vulnerable to Candida infection  (Onianwah, 2014)

Prevention of Candidiasis can be by employing the use of unscented bath soaps, lotions, laundry detergents and gels. It is suggested that less fragrance free bath and cleansing products can be used (Cheesbrough, 1991).

This research focused on the incidence of Candida albicans infection (candidiasis) of the urogenital tract of single and married females of different age groups.

           1.1           AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Aim: To evaluate the incidence of Candidiasis among single and married women of different age groups that attends Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

Objectives of the study are:

·       To isolate the causative agent of the disease

·       To identify the causative agent of the disease

·       To determine the level of occurrence of the disease among single and married women of different age group patients.

1.2        SCOPE OF STUDY

This research work is limited to only single and married women of different age groups attending Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Umuahia, Abia State. The work was carried out with necessary specimens such as early morning urine, high vaginal swab samples, which were collected from the women.

1.3        STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Candidiasis has caused a lot of problem in our society because of the nature of what the disease looks like. It brings about discomfort such as itching, which causes a lot of embarrassment to people publicly. Secondly, candidiasis cause frequent urination in people that are suffering from the disease and such people will not find it easy to stay in public for a long time without being disgraced by this infection. Another problem with this infection is that when it stays long in the body it will make the person that is suffering from it to develop body odour due to severe discharge.

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