[Microbiological study performed on 1,998 vaginal swabs]

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Mycology
• Obstetrics & Gynecology

Background:

• Vaginal microbiota composition is crucial for reproductive health.
• Lactobacillus species typically dominate the healthy vaginal flora.
• Opportunistic pathogens can disrupt this balance, especially during pregnancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of vaginal microflora in women in Abidjan.
• To identify specific microbial agents that are more frequent in pregnant women.
• To assess the in vitro antifungal susceptibility patterns of isolated Candida strains.

Main Methods:

• Microbiological examination of 1998 vaginal samples from women in Abidjan (1981-1983).
• Analysis of microbial flora, differentiating between normal flora and pathogens.
• Antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida isolates against various agents (5-fluorocytosine, ketoconazole, econazole, nystatin, amphotericin B).

Main Results:

• Pathogen agents frequently displaced normal Lactobacillus flora.
• Pregnancy did not significantly increase the prevalence of most tested microbes (Enterobacteriaceae, Neisseriae, Trichomonas, Corynebacterium).
• Yeast, and specifically Candida albicans (serotype B), were significantly more prevalent in pregnant women. This strain showed resistance to 5-fluorocytosine. Ketoconazole was less effective in vitro than econazole, while nystatin and amphotericin B were highly effective against all Candida yeasts.

Conclusions:

• Candida albicans infections are significantly more common in pregnant women in Abidjan.
• Serotype B Candida albicans exhibits resistance to 5-fluorocytosine.
• Nystatin and amphotericin B are effective antifungal agents against Candida species found in this population.