Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Protocols for Vaginal Inoculation and Sample Collection in the Experimental Mouse Model of Candida vaginitis
Published on: December 8, 2011
Fungal species changes in the female genital tract
Mark G Martens1, Pamela Hoffman, Mohamad El-Zaatari
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Oklahoma, College of Medicine, Tulsa, OK 74104-4070, USA. Mark-Martens@ouhsc.edu
Background:
Candidal vaginitis has traditionally been associated with Candida albicans.
Objective:
Two changes occurred over the past decade: first, the dispensing of over-the-counter (OTC) topical antifungals, and second, the approval of oral fluconazole 5 years later. Both have excellent activity versus C. albicans, but less activity versus nonalbicans species.
Materials And Methods:
To determine if there has been a shift in species causing vaginitis, swabs were obtained from 156 symptomatic patients during the period after the release of OTC antifungals, but before fluconazole's approval. Specimens were inoculated onto nonselective mycotic agar, with growth transferred to selective media.
Results:
One hundred eleven patients had a diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis confirmed with yeast isolated. Ninety (81.1%) were identified as C. albicans. Of the 21 nonalbicans species, 15 (71.4%) were Candida glabrata.
Conclusions:
Therefore, it appears that after decades of the predominance of Candida albicans, a change may be occurring resulting in an increase in nonalbicans species.
Related Concept Videos
Fungal Group Zygomycota
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Fungal Phylum Ascomycota
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
Candidiasis
Trichomoniasis

