Antifungal susceptibility pattern and identification of Candida species in women of child-bearing age suffering from malaria, typhoid and diabetes in Nsukka, Nigeria

Candidiasis in women of child-bearing age is a major problem in most hospitals in Nigeria. High vaginal swabs were analyzed for Candida presence in women of child bearing age using Chromogenic agar. Isolated Candida spp. were analyzed phylogenetically to trace their evolutionary relatedness. Growth rate assay was done using Sabouruand and Dextrose medium supplemented with NaCl and glucose. The resistance pattern of the Candida spp. was tested using fluconazole and extracts (methanol and ethyl) from Byrsocarpus coccineus. Out of the 79 fungal samples analyzed, 21 (26.6%) were C. tropicalis, 25 (31.6%) were C. krusei, 10 (12.7%) were C. parapsilosis and 8 (10.1%) were C. albicans. About 15 (19.0%) had mixed morphology on CHROM agar Candida and could not be identified. The healthy women presented very low percentage (8.9%) of Candida species. The sequenced Candida spp. had 100% sequence identity to C. tropicalis. High concentration of glucose (1 g/ml) and NaCl (0.5 M) decreased the growth of the fungus. In conclusion, C. tropicalis and C. krusei were more prevalent in the malaria patients. C. albicans were found mostly in the typhoid patients. The plant extracts showed lower antifungal activity in comparison with fluconazole but they showed a huge antifungal potential.   Key words: Byrsocarpus coccineus, Candida, diabetes, fluconazole, malaria, phylogeny, typhoid.