Abstract

Due to the increasing resistance of Candida albicans to commonly used antifungal agents, it has thereby enhanced its virulence in humans. In this study, the prevalence and antibiogram of clinical isolates of C. albicans was determined and investigated. A systematic random sampling technique was carried out using High Vaginal Swab (HVS) of females attending the Ante-Natal ward of the study area; 115 female patients between the ages 16 and 59 were selected comprising of Post Natal Mothers and other Female patients which served as controls. Candida albicans were isolated from collected HVS through inoculation on Saboraud dextrose agar and incubation at 37^oC for 48hrs. Ensuing yeast colonies were subjected to germ tube and biochemical testing. The overall prevalence of Candida albicans among the female patients was 32.2%; consisting of 17 (14.8%) Post Natal Mothers and 20 (17.4%) Non Pregnant women. The prevalence of C. albicans among Non Pregnant Women was highest (7.0%) in age 26-30 years whereas among Post Natal Mothers, the highest prevalence (6.1%) was found in 36 and above years of age. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed that the recovered isolates were multidrug resistant with a decreasing resistance trend in the order Clotrimazole 13(35.1%) > Fluconazole 12(32.4%) > Nystatin 11 (29.7%) > Itraconazole 8 (21.6%). Eleven 11(29.7%) of the isolates from Post Natal Mothers had a MAR_i greater than 0.2; whereas 16(43.2%) of isolates from the Non Pregnant Women Population had a MAR_i above 0.2. Although, the study may have revealed a low prevalence in the Post Natal Mothers, their prevalence is still significant to the public health and need for strict monitoring of antifungal usage is therefore vital.