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Genital yeast infections

J D Oriel, B M Partridge, M J Denny

    British Medical Journal
    |December 30, 1972
    PubMed

    Insights

    Genital yeast infections are common, with Candida albicans being the most frequent cause. Accurate diagnosis requires laboratory identification, as clinical symptoms alone are unreliable for detecting vaginal mycosis.

    Area of Science:

    • Gynecology
    • Mycology
    • Infectious Diseases

    Background:

    • Genital yeast infections are a common condition affecting women.
    • Previous studies suggest a potential link between oral contraceptive use and yeast colonization.
    • Accurate diagnosis of vaginal mycosis is crucial for effective treatment.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the prevalence and causative agents of genital yeast infections in women.
    • To explore the association between oral contraceptive use and yeast carriage.
    • To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of clinical assessment versus laboratory methods for vaginal mycosis.

    Main Methods:

    • A study involving 533 women attending a venereology department.
    • Yeast cultures were performed on all participants to identify causative organisms.
    • Clinical symptoms and signs were compared between women with yeast infections, trichomoniasis, and no infection.

    Main Results:

    • Yeasts were recovered from 26% of the women, with Candida albicans (81%) and Torulopsis glabrata (16%) being the most common isolates.
    • No significant relationship was found between yeast presence and age.
    • Women using oral contraceptives showed a higher prevalence of yeast carriage (32%) compared to non-users (18%).

    Conclusions:

    • Clinical diagnosis of vaginal mycosis is often inaccurate.
    • Laboratory identification of yeasts through cultural methods is essential for accurate diagnosis.
    • Oral contraceptive use may be associated with an increased risk of genital yeast colonization.

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