SUMMARY Purpose: to estimate the prevalence of Candida sp. and the distribution of its species in the vagina of women attended at a family planning Service. Methods: a cross-sectional study evaluating prospectively 72 nonpregnant women, with or without specific complaints. Samples were checked for the presence of yeast and vaginal pH. Data obtained by gynecologic examination were also recorded. Results: yeast belonging to the genus Candida was isolated from 18 (25%) patients. The most prevalent species was C. albicans (77,8%) and therefore, 22.2% were non-albicans species. The most prevalent among the non-albicans species was C. glabrata (16.7%) followed by C. parapsilosis (5.6%). The symptoms most directly associated with Candida were itching and burning. Different from the symptoms directly associated with C. albicans infection, we observed that C. glabrata does not cause vaginal discharge. There was no positive association between predisponent factors such as age, education and contraceptive method used and the presence or absence of Candida. Conclusions: our results suggest: (i) that there is a high prevalence of Candida species among women; (ii) that non-albicans species play an important role in the vaginal medium; (iii) that itching and burning are the most common symptoms in women with Candida, and (iv) C. glabrata usually does not cause vaginal discharge. Finally, it is important to emphasize that our results are consistent with the present worldwide findings.
Vulvovaginitis; Candida albicans; Contraceptives, ora
