Vaginitis due to Candida krusei: epidemiology, clinical aspects, and therapy

Clin Infect Dis. 2002 Nov 1;35(9):1066-70. doi: 10.1086/343826. Epub 2002 Oct 10.

Abstract

Twelve women with vaginal Candida krusei infection were evaluated. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing and molecular typing were performed. Patients infected with C. krusei frequently had refractory vulvovaginal signs and symptoms that were otherwise indistinguishable from vaginitis due to other yeasts. Patients were 32-63 years old and had previously received multiple courses of antimycotic agents, including fluconazole and miconazole. The most active azole in vitro was clotrimazole, with a 90% minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.25 microg/mL. Four of 6 patients treated with boric acid had clinical and mycological cure. Two dominant genotypes of C. krusei were identified via contour-clamped homogenous electrical field analysis. No major genotypic change was observed in successive isolates from the same patient in most cases, suggesting that these refractory cases were relapses. C. krusei is a rare but important cause of refractory vaginitis and is unique because of its intrinsic resistance to fluconazole.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Candida / drug effects
  • Candida / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Karyotyping
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vaginitis / drug therapy
  • Vaginitis / epidemiology*
  • Vaginitis / microbiology
  • Vaginitis / physiopathology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents