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Kim and Lee: Vaginal Candida and Microorganisms Related to Sexual Transmitted Diseases in Women with Symptoms of Vaginitis
Original Article
Korean Journal of Clinical Microbiology

Korean Journal of Clinical Microbiology 2012; 15(2): 49-53.

Published online: 20 June 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5145/KJCM.2012.15.2.49

Vaginal Candida and Microorganisms Related to Sexual Transmitted Diseases in Women with Symptoms of Vaginitis

Kye Hyun Kim1, Mi-Kyung Lee2

1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

2Department Laboratory Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Correspondence: Mi-Kyung Lee, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, 102 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 156-755, Korea. (Tel) 82-2-6299-2719, (Fax) 82-2-6298-8630, cpworld@cau.ac.kr

Received 4 October 2011       Revised 29 November 2011       Accepted 30 November 2011

Copyright © 2012 The Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology

Abstract

Background

The female genital tract is equipped to deal with a variety of foreign substances including a wide array of microorganisms. It is important to consider Candida-bacterial interactions in balance between healthy colonization versus vaginitis. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the association between microorganism distribution and vaginitis, and to investigate the possibility of an interaction between vaginal Candida and other microorganisms in female genital tract.

Methods

A total of 516 vaginal secretions were collected between October 2008 and June 2010 from patients with suspected vaginitis. Identification of Candida species and detection of 6 fastidious microorganisms (Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Ureaplasma urealyticum) were performed using a VITEK 2 system (bioMérieux, Inc., Hazelwood, MO, USA) and multiplex PCR (Seegene, Biotechnology, Inc., Seoul, Korea), respectively.

Results

M. genitalium, U. urealyticum, and C. trachomatis were more often detected in association with vaginal candidiasis. A statistically significant association between Candida and M. genitalium was observed (P<0.05). N. gonorrhoeae was detected less often in women with vaginal candidiasis.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest the possibility that vaginal Candida may associate with some microorganisms in patients with vaginitis. Further studies will be required to define the Candida-bacterial interactions and its mechanisms.

Keywords: Bacteria, Candida, Microbial interactions, Trichomonas vaginalis, Vaginitis

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Microorganisms related to sexual transmitted diseases in women who were or were not vaginal carriers of Candida species
kjcm-15-49-i001

Abbreviations: CT, Chlamydia trachomatis; MG, Mycoplasma genitalium; MH, Mycoplasma hominis; NG, Neisseria gonorrhoeae; TV, Trichomonas vaginalis; UU, Ureaplasma urealyticum.

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