Species Diversity and Epidemiological Trends of Candida Isolates Recovered From Vaginitis Cases

Background Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the most prevalent cause of vaginitis among women of reproductive age. Although Candida albicans remains the predominant pathogen, an increasing prevalence of non-albicans Candida (NAC) species has been reported, necessitating accurate species identification for appropriate management. The aim of the present study was to determine the epidemiological profile and species diversity of Candida isolates from women with vaginitis and to characterize their identification using conventional phenotypic methods and CHROMagar Candida. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted by the Department of Microbiology in collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth and Krishna Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Karad, India. A total of 428 high vaginal swab specimens were collected from women with clinically suspected vaginitis between reproductive ages. Samples were processed by direct microscopy, culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar, Gram staining, germ tube testing, carbohydrate fermentation testing, and CHROMagar Candida for species identification. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data and were presented as frequencies and percentages. Results Among 428 women with suspected vaginitis, 127 (29.67%) were culture-positive for Candida species. The majority of cases occurred in the 18-28-year age group (55.12%). Pregnant women accounted for 86 (67.72%) cases, while 41 (32.28%) were not pregnant. Species identification revealed Candida albicans as the most common isolate (47.24%), followed by Candida krusei (25.20%), Candida tropicalis (16.54%), and Candida glabrata (11.02%). Overall, NAC species made up 52.76% of the isolates. CHROMagar Candida enabled quick presumptive identification of Candida species based on their characteristic colony pigmentation, and the results corresponded with the criteria obtained through conventional phenotypic methods. Conclusions VVC remains a significant cause of vaginitis, particularly among young reproductive-age and pregnant women. Although C. albicans was the most common individual species, NAC species collectively accounted for a higher proportion of isolates, highlighting the substantial burden of NAC species and the importance of routine species-level identification. CHROMagar Candida may serve as a useful complementary presumptive phenotypic method for species differentiation in routine laboratory practice.