World Applied Sciences Journal 10 (9): 986-991, 2010 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2010 Corresponding Author: I.O. Okonko, Medical Microbiology & Virology Unit, Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology, Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria Tel: +234-080-3538-0891; E-mail: mac2finney@yahoo.com. 986 Detection and prevalence of Candida among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria O.O.B. Donbraye-Emmanuel, E. Donbraye, I.O. Okonko, 1 2 3 J.A. Alli, M.O. Ojezele and J.C. Nwanze 1 4 5 Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, 1 University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, 2 Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria Medical Microbiology & Virology Unit, Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology, 3 Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria Department of Nursing Science & Public Health, Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria 4 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria 5 Abstract: This study aimed at detecting and determining the prevalence of Candida among pregnant women at Adeoyo maternity hospital in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. One hundred antenatal clinic attendees at Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Ibadan, were recruited for this study. Samples of high vaginal swab (HVS) were collected, transported, stored and processed using standard laboratory procedures. Additional information was obtained using a proforma specially designed for this purpose. The results showed that a total of 26 Candida species were isolated and identified as Candida albicans [17(65.4%)] and other Candida species [9(34.6%)]. However, vaginal colonization by Candida was not age-dependent (P>0.05). The rate of Candida infection was found to be 26.0% (n=26) among the pregnant women; no isolate was recovered from those greater than 30 years of age, while the peak age of infection was 20-29 years of age 34.9% (n=22). Those less than 20 years of age accounted for 23.5% (n=4) of the entire colonization and/or infections. Twenty-six pregnant women (26.0%) without symptoms or signs of infection harboured Candida albicans or other yeast species in the genital tract. They were given treatment with clotrimazole. The implications of the presence of Candida in the genital tract are discussed. The vaginal colonization by Candida among the 100 tested pregnant women was 26.0% emphasizing the importance of routine screening of pregnant women thereby assisting in prevention of invasive neonatal candidal infections. The incidence of asymptomatic vaginal candidiasis was found to be high among these pregnant women in Ibadan; proper and well coordinated sex education should be organized for adolescents and pregnant women in order to prevent candida infections. Therefore, a thorough medical examination and culture of HVS is highly recommended for pregnant women to ensure detection of vulvovaginal infection caused by Candida species among these immunosuppressed persons. It is concluded that clotrimazole is an effective antimycotic agent which can be used for vulvovaginal candidiasis during pregnancy without causing side effects. Key words: Antimycotic agent % Candida % Colonization % Clotrimazole % HVS % Pregnant women % vulvovaginal candidiasis % Nigeria INTRODUCTION disadvantaged persons are most likely to contract The adverse effects of infectious diseases in many appropriate treatment [1]. Candida is the fourth most developing countries, in particular, in sub-Saharan Africa common cause of nosocomial bloodstream infection in is considerable and, within those countries, economically the United States [2]. Three quarters of women experience communicable diseases and least likely to access