Objectives: Candidal vulvovaginitis is a frequent infectious process in adult women that assumes particular clinical, epidemiological and social importance in prostitutes due to its possible sexual transmission. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of symptomatic or non-symptomatic vulvovaginitis caused by Candida spp and its possible relationship to behavioural risk factors, by a prospective study carried on 153 immigrant prostitutes from various African countries. Patients and methods: All subjects (average age 27 yrs; range 18-50 yrs) coming from sub-Saharan areas (Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Senegal) and resident in the coastal area northwest of Naples (southern Italy) underwent a microbiological investigation to detect the possible presence of Candida in vaginal, rectal and pharyngeal swabs. Agar Sabouraud with the addition of chloramphenicol was used for cultures and the mycotube system for identification; in vitro sensitivity tests with amphotericin, nystatin, 5-fluorocytosine, econazole, and fluconazole were also performed according to the Kirby Bauer technique. Results: The rate of Candida detection from vaginal swabs was 45% (69/153) with the following distribution by specie: C. albicans 75.4%, C. glabrata 7.2%, C. krusei 2.9%, C. tropicalis 1.4%, Candida spp 13%. The incidence of Candida from pharyngeal and rectal swabs was 18.3% and 26.1%, respectively. The overall resistance of Candida was comprised between 6% for fluconazole and 27% for econazole. No strain was resistant to 5-fluorocytosine, nystatin and amphotericin. Conclusions: The incidence of Candida in this particular population of immigrates was very high and correlated to many well-identified risk factors.

immigrants Candida Prostitutes Vulvovaginitis

immigrant sexual behavior fungus culture human infection rate chloramphenicol middle aged controlled study sexual transmission fluconazole Humans female Africa Candida albicans prostitution Article agar vagina candidiasis Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal throat culture major clinical study adult drug sensitivity infection risk flucytosine econazole Candida tropicalis nystatin Candida krusei Candida glabrata Candida amphotericin fungal detection antibiotic resistance Emigration and Immigration Italy