Candidíase vulvovaginal: prevalência e suscetibilidade antifúngica de espécies isoladas de mulheres residentes no recôncavo baiano

Background and Objectives: Candida albicans is the species most implicated in vulvovaginal candidiasis, but its adaptive and virulence characteristics have contributed to the increase in non-albicans yeast species. Resistance mechanisms make drug treatment difficult. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis, its etiological agents and antifungal susceptibility profiles. Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional study involving 358 women living in the Recôncavo Baiano. Molecular tests were used to identify the isolated species and antifungal analysis to determine the antifungal susceptibility profile. Fisher's exact test was used to calculate associations. Results: The prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis was 10,89% (39/358). C. albicans was most common (64%-37/58), followed by 12% (7/58) each of Nakaseomyces glabratus and C. parapsilosis, 7% (4/58) C. tropicalis, 3% (2/58) Meyerozyma guilliermondii and 2% (1/58) Pichia kudriavzevii. Pruritus and bleeding were associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by C. albicans. Itraconazole and miconazole showed greater variability in the susceptibility profile. Resistance to itraconazole was reported in N. glabratus. Conclusion: The results obtained indicate that C. albicans continue to be the predominant species in cases of VVC and, together with other species, may present resistance to the antifungals tested.