Abstract

Bacterial and other pathogens often infect the female genital tract causing disease in most women, sometimes with severe complications. A number of vaginal infections present with few or no symptoms and yet could still be transmissible to sexual partners of infected persons. Poor socio- economic status, lack of diagnostic facilities and shortage of effective treatment all contribute to the high incidence of sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections. In this study we investigated mixed bacterial and Candida albicans infections in antenatal and gynecology attendees in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria. Seventy-five high vaginal swab specimens were collected from female patients (18-49 years) attending ante-natal and gynecology clinics of the hospital. Specimens were collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients and were analyzed using standard microbiological methods. Wet preparations were examined microscopically for presence of white blood cells (WBC) which suggested an infection, and yeast cells. The swabs were inoculated on MacConkey, Blood, and Chocolate agars, incubated at 37°C for 24 h, as well as Sabouraud Dextrose agar, incubated at room temperature for a few days. Of the seventy-five specimens analyzed, 56 (74.7%) isolates were from symptomatic patients while 25 (44.6%) were from asymptomatic patients. C. albicans was the most isolated pathogen with 35 (47.7%) isolates, followed by Staphylococcus aureus with 25 (29.8%), E. coli, 11 (13.1%),Klebsiella spp, 5 (6.0%) Enterococcus faecalis, 4(4.8%), Proteus spp 3 (3.6%) andPseudomonas aeruginosa, 1(1.2%). This analysis revealed that candidiasis caused by C. albicans and infection with S. aureus is still the major health problems among females in this locality. The need for regular check-up at the clinics as well as personal hygiene is highly recommended in order to forestall avoidable infections.

Key words: Bacteria, Candida albicans, infection, antenatal, gynecology, attendees, Irrua, Nigeria.