Evaluation of Candida isolation from vaginal mucosa of mothers and oral mucosa of neonates on the basis of delivery type

Abstract

Candida spp. is one of the most important fungal pathogens in the intensive neonatal care units
associated with increased health care costs. This study was performed on 164 pregnant women (82
vaginal-routes and 82 cesarean-routes) and their infants. The vaginal samples were obtained using
swabs from mothers prior to delivery. Swabs were taken from oral mucosa of all infants immediately
after birth as well. Samples were inoculated onto Sabouraud dextrose agar and isolated species were
obtained. Antifungal sensitivity was also evaluated against 3 different agents by disk diffusion method.
The data were analyzed with Chi-square and Student t-test. Candida albicans and Candida krusei were
the most common isolated species from mothers in vaginal and cesarean-route groups, respectively.
Furthermore, C. albicans was the most common species in both neonate groups. There was significant
difference in occurrence of Candida spp. on the oral mucosa between vaginally-born and cesarean-born
infants whereas; there was no significant difference in occurrence of Candida spp. on the vaginal
mucosa between mothers in vaginally and cesarean-route groups. Ketoconazole had higher antifungal
activity in all studied groups. The type of delivery should be considered as a risk factor in neonatal
candidiasis.