Antifungal Susceptibility Pattern of Candida species Isolated from Pregnant Women in ‎Hajjah City, Yemen

Abstract Background and Aims: Candida species, opportunistic yeast, are the second most common cause of female vulvovaginal candidiasis. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal susceptibility profile of the isolated Candida species in pregnant women in Hajjah City, Yemen. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 396 pregnant women attending Authority AL-Gumhorri Hospital Hajjah between February and July 2023. Vaginal swabs were collected, and Candida species were isolated and identified based on the standard laboratory method. Furthermore, the antifungal drug susceptibility of Candida species was determined by the Kirby-Bauer technique. Results: The prevalence of vaginal Candida infection among pregnant women was 61.4%. Candida albicans and non- albicans Candida had prevalence rates of 59.26% and 40.74%, respectively. The highest rate of Candida infections was among women aged 24–30 years (71.9%) who finished primary school (77.8%), with the third trimester (80%), multigravida (66.1%), and recurrent infection (67.7%) showing significant differences ( P ˂ 0.05). The isolated Candida species revealed susceptibility to ketoconazole (89.7%), amphotericin B (84.8%), miconazole (84.8%), itraconazole (83.5%), and fluconazole (79%). In contrast, 30.5% of Candida species were resistant to clotrimazole. Additionally, approximately 46.2% of isolated Candida albicans exhibited one kind of antifungal drug resistance, whereas 38.7% of isolated non -albicans exhibited resistance to three different antifungal agents. Conclusion: According to the above findings, Candida infection is highly prevalent in Yemen and quite widespread. Interventions in health education are advised to increase women's knowledge of vaginitis and its prevention. The antifungal susceptibility test may also be helpful in determining the best medication for each patient.