ANTIFUNGAL SUSCEPTIBILTY PATTERN OF CLOTRIMAZOLE AND NYSTATIN AGAINST CANDIDA SPECIES OF VAGINAL SPECIMENS IN JOS, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA
Okolo Mark Ojogba, Kim Esther Garos, Idoko Emmanuel and Essien Unyime Cosmas*
ABSTRACT
Background: Candida albicans is the leading cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis in women of reproductive age. There are about 68 known species of Candida, the most pathogenic is C. albicans. Aim: The present study was aimed at determining the susceptibility of Candida species to Clotrimazole and Nystatin. Methods: 139 Candida isolates were obtained from 618 vaginal specimens by standard method of isolation of Candida. Identification of Candida species were carried out by germ tube test and Candida chrom agar medium. Susceptibility of isolates to Clotrimazole and Nystatin was performed by disc diffusion method using Mueller Hinton glucose methylene blue agar. Results: Results from our study show that individuals within the age group 21-30 (46.8%) recorded the highest prevalence of candidiasis while the least prevalence occurred within the age group >41 (4.3%). The antifungal sensitivity pattern revealed that Clotrimazole 44/139 (31.7%) was more active compared to Nystatin 26/136 (18.7%) against Candida species. Conclusion: However, this study has revealed the sensitivity pattern of the two commonly prescribed antifungals in the study area. Clotrimazole was more effective as compared to Nystatin. Antifungal susceptibility testing should be determined before therapy to avoid treatment failures.
Keywords: Candida species, Antifungal sensitivity, Clotrimazole, Nystatin.
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