Science Laboratory Technology

Incidence of Candida Albicans Amongst Pregnant and Non-pregnant Women

Incidence of Candida Albicans Amongst Pregnant and Non-pregnant Women in Owerri Metropolis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page
Certification ……………………………………………………………………………i
Dedication ………………………………………………………………………………ii
Acknowledgement………………………….……………………………………..iii
List of Tables………………………………………………………………………….iv
List of Figures…………………………………………………………………………v
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………….vi
Table of contents………………………………………………………………….vii
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction ………………………………………………………
1.2 Objective of the study
1.3 Literature review
1.4 Pathogenesis
1.5 Host defence mechanisms
1.6 Cell medicated immunity
1.7 Therapy of candidacies
1.8 Chemotherapy and treatment of candidacies
1.9 Lmidazoles
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Material and method
2.1 Sample used
2.2 Study area
2.3 Population sample
2.4 Methodology
2.5 Sample collection

CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Results
3.1 Data presentation

CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Discussion
4.1 Conclusion
4.2 Recommendation
4.3 References
4.4 Appendix

ABSTRACT

A study on the incidence of Candida albicans was carried out on pregnant and non-pregnant women at the Federal Medical Centre and general Hospital Owerri. High vaginal swabs were used for the study. A total of 120 women were examined for Candida albicans; of which a total of 80 were pregnant women and the remaining 40 were non-pregnant women (used as control). The microbiological standard of identification of the organism was adopted. Of the 80 pregnant women examined for Candida albicans, 68 were infected, which represents an incidence of 85.0%. Of the 40 non-pregnant women (control) examined, 16 were infected, which represents an incidence rate of 40.0%. The greatest percentage of 58.8% and 56.2% were recorded in the age group of 18-28 respectively. Pregnant women had a higher incidence rate of 85.0%. The clinical symptoms noted amongst them were itching, irritation of the vulva and a white, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Candida is small, oval yeast measuring 2-4 mm in diameter. It causes a disease condition known as candidiasis. Candidiasis is considered an opportunistic and sexually transmitted infection. It constitutes great health problems for many women. More so, there has been rampant complaints of pregnant and non-pregnant women who attend clinics at Federal Medical centre and general Hospital Owerri about vagina itching and discharge. Being that this is a common symptom of candidiasis, it has become expedient to establish the incidence of this microorganism amongst the population of these women.

In the history of medicine and scientific exploration, discoveries are made regularly; in fact, many people devote their lives to the identification and treatment of disease. When these diseases are discovered, it is often assumed that they are new. These diseases might well have been with us for many years (Marshall et al: 1983).

Although the terms infection and diseases are sometimes used interchangeably, they differ somewhat in meaning. Infection is the invasion or colonization of the body by pathogenic microorganisms, while disease occurs when an infection results in any change from a state of health.

The disease is an abnormal state in which part or all of the body is not properly adjusted or is not capable of carrying on its normal function.

An infection may exist in the absence of detectable disease. Once a relationship between the normal microbiota can benefit the host by preventing the overgrowth of harmful microorganisms; a phenomenon called antagonism (Tortora et al; 1995).

Microbial antagonism involves competition among microbes; one consequence of this competition is the host against colonization by potentially pathogenic microbes by competing for nutrients, producing substances harmful to the invading microbes, and affecting conditions such as PH and available oxygen. When this balance between the normal microbiota and pathogenic microbes is upset, the disease can result. For example, the normal bacterial microbiota of the adult human vagina maintains a local PH of 3.5 to 4.5(Marshall et al; 1983). The presence of the normal microbiota inhabits the overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans, which cannot grow under these conditions and is normally present in small numbers in the vagina. If antibiotics, excessive douching or deodorants eliminate the bacteria population, the PH of the vagina reverts to nearly neutral and Candida albicans can flourish and become the dominant microorganism there.

Candidiasis is a disease caused by a yeast-like fungus, Candida albicans; that often grow on mucous membranes of the mouth, intestinal tract, and genitourinary tract. Infections are usually a result of opportunistic overgrowth when antibiotics or other factors suppress the competing microbiota. It is responsible for occasional cases in non-gonococcal urethritis in males and for vulvovaginal candidiasis which is the most common cause of vaginitis. About 75% of all women experience at least one episode.
The lessons of Vulvovaginal candidiasis resemble those of oral thrush but produce more irritation, severe itching, thick yellow cottage, cheese-like discharge, and a yeasty odour. Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen. Predisposing conditions include the use of oral contraceptives and pregnancy, Which causes an increase in glycogen in the vagina. Diabetes and treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics are also associated with the occurrence of candida Albicans and vaginitis, (Tortora et al; 1995).
Candida albicans and its close relatives account for nearly 80% of nosocomial fungi infections in general (Talaro, 2008).

The Federal Medical Centre and general Hospital Owerri have both ante-natal and out-patient units; where they render different services to patients. Therefore provide a fertile ground for an investigation such as this

1.1 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objective of this study include:
a. Detection of Candida albicans in women attending the clinics
b. To know the age group most affected
c. To know the rate (incidence) of Candida infection in Owerri urban.



Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.
This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0