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[The role of Candida kefyr (C. pseudotropicalis) in reproductive tract infections]

B Pawlik1, V Jodłowska

  • 1Zakład Mykologii Instytutu Mikrobiologii AM, Krakowie.

Medycyna Doswiadczalna I Mikrobiologia
|January 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Candida kefyr is a rare cause of vaginal mycosis, appearing in 2.5% of yeast isolates. While often asymptomatic, C. kefyr infections can cause symptoms and show resistance to amphotericin B.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Women's Health

Background:

  • Candida kefyr is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.
  • Reproductive tract mycoses are common gynecological infections.
  • Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of less common Candida species is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the frequency of Candida kefyr (C. kefyr) isolation from the reproductive tract.
  • To analyze the clinical significance, including symptoms and pathogenesis, of C. kefyr infections.
  • To determine the drug susceptibility profile of C. kefyr strains against common antimycotic agents.

Main Methods:

  • Culturing and identification of 2717 yeast strains from vaginal samples.
  • Isolation and characterization of 67 C. kefyr strains.
  • Antimycotic susceptibility testing of C. kefyr isolates using standard methods.

Main Results:

  • C. kefyr accounted for 2.5% of all isolated yeast strains and 8.2% of non-albicans Candida species.
  • Infections occurred even with normal vaginal Lactobacillus sp. presence and pH, but with altered leukocyte counts.
  • Clinical symptoms were reported in 47.8% of patients with C. kefyr vaginal mycosis.
  • A high resistance rate (79%) to amphotericin B was observed, while C. kefyr strains remained sensitive to other tested antimycotics.

Conclusions:

  • Candida kefyr is an uncommon cause of vaginal mycosis, often presenting with subtle or no symptoms.
  • Despite a normal vaginal environment, C. kefyr can cause symptomatic infections.
  • The high resistance to amphotericin B necessitates careful consideration of treatment options for C. kefyr infections.

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