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Symptoms associated with vaginal colonization with yeast.
W M McCormack1, K M Starko, S H Zinner
1Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Vaginal yeast colonization often causes vulvovaginal symptoms, even when potassium hydroxide (KOH) tests are negative. Culturing vaginal samples is crucial for diagnosing fungal vulvovaginitis in symptomatic women with negative KOH results.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Vulvovaginal symptoms are common in women.
- Diagnosis of fungal vulvovaginitis often relies on microscopy (KOH wet preparations).
- The sensitivity of KOH preparations for diagnosing yeast infections is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate vulvovaginal symptoms with vaginal yeast cultures in healthy college women.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet preparations versus fungal cultures.
Main Methods:
- Vaginal cultures for yeast were performed on 144 healthy female college students.
- Vaginal samples were examined microscopically using 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet preparations.
- Symptom data (itching, irritation) were collected and correlated with culture and microscopy results.
Main Results:
- Yeast was isolated from 29.2% of women.
- Only 22% of women with positive fungal cultures had positive KOH wet preparations.
- Symptomatic women were significantly more likely to have positive yeast cultures (67%) compared to asymptomatic women (22%).
Conclusions:
- Vaginal yeast colonization is frequently associated with vulvovaginal symptoms.
- KOH wet preparations often yield false-negative results in women with symptomatic yeast colonization.
- Fungal cultures should be considered for symptomatic women with negative KOH wet preparations to avoid excluding fungal vulvovaginitis.