Research Journal of Microbiology1816-4935xxxx-xxxxScience International10.3923/jm.2007.696.700PakshirKeyvan YazdaniMaryam KimiaghalamRobab 9200729Vaginal candidiasis is a common infectious disease involving genital organ. Candida albicans is the major cause of Candida vaginitis and the other species are less common but an increase of nonalbicans species has been observed. The aim of this study was to identify the etiological agents of vaginal candidiasis in Shiraz, southern Iran. A total of 183 patients suspected of Candida vaginitis were enrolled in our study. The specimens were collected by using vaginal swabs and cultivated on Sabouraud dextrose agar media supplemented with antibiotics. All the cultures were incubated at 35-37°C for 24-48 h. Identification of Candida species was performed based on Germ tube, Chlamidoconidia, Thermo tolerant tests and CHROMagar Candida medium. Eighty (43.71%) cases of Candida vaginitis were diagnosed among 183 patients suffering vaginitis. Candida albicans was the most dominant isolates and nonalbicans species were responsible for 21.25% of vaginal candidiasis. The frequency of Candida isolates were: Candida albicans 63 (78.75%), Candida glabrata 7 (8.75%), Candida krusei 5 (6.25%), Candida tropicalis 2 (2.5%) and Candida sp. 3 (3.75%). No species of Candida dubliniensis was distinguished from Candida albicans by Thermo tolerant test and Chromogenic media. Present study indicated that the rate of Candida vaginitis caused by nonablicans species was high. It seems that inadequate antifungal therapy and incomplete self medication could be a major cause for increasing drug resistance in nonalbicans Candida species.]]>Ben-Haroush, A., Y. Yogev and B. Kaplan,20042113116Boselli, F., G. Chiossi, P. Garutti, A. Mattelli, M.T. Montagra and A. Spinillo,200456149153Brito, C.A., M. Mendoza, A. Fernondez and E. Diaz,2006Candida dubliniensis in patients with Candidiasis in Caracas, Venezuela.]]>238184Ferror, J.,20001S21S27Grigoriou, O., S. Baka, E. Makrakis, D. Hassiakos, G. Kapparos and E. Kouskouni,2006126121125Jabra-Rizk, M.A., A.A.M.A. Baqui, J.I. Kelley, W.A. Falkler, W.G. Merz and T.F. Meilier,1999Candida dubliniensis in a prospective study of patients in the United States.]]>37321326Kent, H.L.,199116511681176Kirkpatrick, W.R., S.G. Revankar, R.K. Mcatee, J.L. Lopez-Ribot and A.W. Fotherqill et al.,1998Candida dubliniensis in oropharyngeal samples from human immunodeficiency virus infected patients in North America by primary CHROMagar Canada Screening and susceptibility testing of isolates.]]>3630073012Lanchares, J.L. and M.L. Hernande,200071S29S35Mariano, P.D.L.S., E.P. Milan, D.A. Matta and A.L. Colombo,2003Candida dubliniensis identification in Brazilian yeast stock collection.]]>98533538Mendling, W. and C. Seebacher,200346365369Momani, O.M. and A. Qaddoomi,2005Candida dubliniensis in a diagnostic microbiology laboratory.]]>11366371Odds, F.C. and R. Bernaerts,1994Candida, new differentia isolation medium for presumptive I dentification of clinically important Candida species.]]>3219231929Paulitsch, A., W. Weger, G. Ginter-Hanselmayer, E. Marth and W. Buzina,2006Candida and non-Candida yeast species causing vulvovaginal candidiasis in Graz, Austria.]]>49471475Phillips, A.J.,2005albicans Candida vaginitis with amphotericin B vaginal suppositories.]]>19220092012Poch, M.D.F. and D. Levin,2002C. albicans Candida species among asymptomatic women.]]>40383386Ross, R.A., M.T. Lee and A.B. Onderdonk,1995Candida albicans infection and Clotrimazole treatment on vaginal micro flora in vitro.]]>6925930Saunte, D.M., L. Kligspor, S. Jalal, J. Arnau and M.C. Arendrup,2005Candida albicans infections with isolates developing pink colonies on CHROMagar Candida plates.]]>48378381Sobel, J.D.,199733718961903Sobel, J.D.,199925335346Soble, J.D., S. Faro, R.W. Force, B. Foxman and W.J. Ledger et al.,1998Candidiasis: Epidemiologic, diagnostic and therapeutic considerations.]]>178203211Soble, J.D., W. Chaim, V. Nagappan and D. Leaman,2003Candida glabrata: Use of topical boric acid and flucytosine.]]>18912971300Sullivan, D. and D. Coleman,1998Candida dubliniensis: Characteristics and identification.]]>36329334Tabrizi, S.N., M.W. Pirotta, E. Rudland and S.M. Garland,200649523524Trama, J.P., E. Mordechai and M.E. Adelson,2005Candida species associated with Candida vaginitis by real-time PCR and pyro sequencing.]]>19145152Us, E. and S.A. Cengiz,2007Candida dubliniensis in pregnant women with Vulvovaginal candidosis in a university hospital in Ankara.]]>501320Vrabik, J., J. Masata, A. Jedlickova and M. Hajickova,2007Candida strains and their sensitivity to different antimycotic treatment in women with vulvovaginal candidosis.]]>722732