Association between clinical symptoms and laboratory findings in the diagnosis of Candida vaginitis

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is the second most common vaginal infection among women. In this study, the association between clinical symptoms and laboratory findings in diagnosis of Candida vaginitis has been investigated.
This descriptive analytical study was carried out on women (n=220) with vaginitis symptoms. After diagnosing the Candida vaginitis based on the clinical symptoms (e. g. white color cheesy discharges, erythema or edema of the vulva and the vagina), two samples were taken from vaginal discharge for each participant. The first sample was cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar medium in sterile conditions. Another sample was transferred directly to slide, on which a drop of the KOH (10٪) solution was added. The samples were immediately transferred to the laboratory for microscopic examination. The results were compared to clinical findings and analyzed by Chi-square and McNemar’s tests using SPSS software. P One-hundred twenty four (56. 4%), 64 (29. 1%) and 78 (35. 5%) out of 220 participants referred with vaginal complains were identified as vaginal candida infection in their physical examination, direct smear examination and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar, respectively.
The mere apparent assessment of the clinical symptoms and patients complaints may be misleading the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.