Azole Resistance and Detection of the ERG11 Gene in Clinical Candida albicans Isolated from Pregnant Women with Vulvovaginitis Attending Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Nigeria

Introduction: Candida albicans is one of the most important aetiological agents causing vaginal candidiasis in pregnant women. Most women will experience at least one episode during their reproductive years. Antifungal resistance is a particular problem with Candida infections. Some types of Candida are increasingly resistant to the first-line and second-line antifungal medications.

Objective: To investigate the azole susceptibility of Candida albicans (C. albicans) from pregnant vulvovaginal candidiasis patients and to detect ERG11 gene in these azole resistance isolates.

Methods: Forty-one clinical isolates of C. albicans were collected. Azole susceptibility was tested in vitro using microdilution techniques. The ERG11 genes of 27 isolates of C. albicans (All resistant to azoles) were amplified using PCR method.

Results: Of the 67 isolates recovered, 41(61.19%) were C. albicans, of which 27 (65.85%) each, and 25(60.98%) were resistant to Fluconazole, Voriconazole, and Nystatin respectively. In total, ERG11 genes were detected among 24(88.89%) of 27 C. albicans azole resistant isolates.

Conclusions: Twenty four ERG11 genes were detected among 27 azole resistant C. albicans isolates, which indicates a possible relation with the increase in resistance to azole drugs and the recurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis.