DIAGNOSIS OF VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS IN PREGNANT WOMEN BY GRAM STAINING AND FUNGAL CULTURE� A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Sumana Vasishta; Dr. Mamatha. P. Samaga

Volume : VII, Issue : III, March - 2017

DIAGNOSIS OF VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS IN PREGNANT WOMEN BY GRAM STAINING AND FUNGAL CULTURE� A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Sumana Vasishta, Dr. Mamatha. P. Samaga

Abstract :

VulvovaginalCandidiasis(VVC) is one of the important causes of morbidity in pregnant women. Gram staining is routinely followed in peripheral setup whereas culture is the most accurate technique for the diagnosis of VVC. This study was conducted to compare these two methods. High vaginal swabs were collected from 50 pregnant women and processed by Gram stain and culture on SDA.Gram staining was positive in 15 (30%) and culture in 18(36%).Among 18 cases positive by culture, 12(66.7%) were Candida albicans and 6(33.3%) were Non Candida albicans.In peripheral healthcare setups of developing countries culture may not be always be possible, Gram staining can serve as screening method for diagnosing VVC.