Molecular and biochemical studies to determine candida species infections susceptibility in women

In the last two decades, the prevalence of Candida species have increased, making it the third- or fourth-most frequent source of infection in hospitals. Currently, the second most common cause of yeast infections after Candida albicans is Candida glabrata, which is responsible for approximately 26.7% of Candida infections. Glabrata and which types of EPA genes are abundantly present in the yeasts that form biofilms Formation. The current study, included 170 high vaginal swabs from women with different age groups, presented with Vulvovaginitis, and visited the gynecology clinic of Kirkuk Gynecology Hospital between November 2020 and September 2021.Direct wet preparation showed 70 % (119/170) positive while positive growth of Candida spp on Sabouraud's agar and CHROM Candida agar showed just 45.3% (77/170), most common isolates were Candida albicans 49 (28.8%) flowed by Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis 6 (3.5%) to each other. Regarding to age groups, women aged between 21 - 30 years had the highest occurrence of vaginal candidiasis 22.35%, The infections rates among the pregnant women 36 (75%) were higher than the non- pregnant. Vitamin D and zinc levels in the blood had a significant correlation with vaginal candidiasis. Biofilm formation was seen in 24.4% of C. albicans, 66.7% of C.glabrata and 35% of NAC groups. The various Candida species differ in their susceptibility to the most common antifungal agents, this study revealed high rates of resistance among the isolates, 34(48.5%) were resistant to Fluconazole, 30 (42.8%) were resistant to Ketoconazole, 29(41.4%) resistant to Clotrimazole, 22(31%) of isolates were resistant to Itraconazole, and 16(22.9%) were resistant to Nystatin. In this study, it has been found that 100% of Candida glabrata isolates reveal the presence of EPA7 genes. The EPA1 gene was found in 80% of the isolates, while the EPA3, EPA6, and EPA22 genes were found in 40% of the isolates.