Epidemiology and etiology of vulvovaginal candidiasis in Spanish and immigrants’ women in Fuenlabrada (Madrid)

Abstract

Objectives. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common vaginal infection. Risk factors include diabetes, antibiotic use and pregnancy. Candida albicans is the most common species identified but non-C. albicans species appear to be more commonly associated with VVC in some Asian and African countries. We had studied the distribution of Candida species in Spanish and immigrants’ women residents in Spain. Material and methods. Retrospective study of vaginal yeast cultures between 2015 and 2018. Results. A total of 2,283 vaginal yeast cultures were collected. Candida spp. was detected in 25.7% from Spanish women and in 28.5% from immigrants (no significant differences). Immigrants have higher rates of vaginal candidiasis compared other studies in Spain. C. albicans was the most common species isolated (82.4%). Conclusions. There were no differences in vaginal candidiasis rate between Spanish and immigrants’ women. Immigrants consulted proportionally more compared with the Spanish women.