Frequency and significance of drug resistance in vulvovaginal candidiasis

Gynecol Obstet Invest. 1994;38(2):130-3. doi: 10.1159/000292465.

Abstract

The rates of non-albicans species and susceptibility to the main antimycotic drugs were evaluated in a series of 472 cultures of vulvar or vaginal specimens positive for Candida species. Torulopsis glabrata was associated more frequently than C. albicans with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (18/40 vs. 72/379; p = 0.003, chi 2 test). As evaluated by the results of susceptibility testing, C. albicans isolates were uniformly sensitive to the antifungals tested, whereas 7.5% (3/40) of T. glabrata strains were resistant to imidazole derivatives. All these patients had a history of repeated antimycotic treatments. Previous antimycotic therapies in susceptible individuals could cause a selection of non-albicans species, especially T. glabrata, which is occasionally resistant to the commonly used antimycotic drugs.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Candida / drug effects*
  • Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / drug therapy*
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents