Prevalence of asymptomatic Co-Infection of Candidiasis and Vaginal Trichomoniasis among Pregnant Women in Abakaliki, South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

One thousand five hundred (1500) pregnant women at their different trimesters who are within the age of 20 and 40 years were investigated for the prevalence of co-infection of Candida albicans and Tirchomonas vaginalis in Abakaliki, South-Eastern Nigeria between March and October 2010. Their personal biometric data and trimesters of gestation were documented. The vaginal swab specimen were examined using wet preparation technique, and culture. Germ-tube test was specifically used for the C. albicans. Three hundred and twenty six (22%) had asymptomatic coinfections while 412 (27.5%) and 355 (24%) had asymptomatic candidiasis and trichomonas as single infection respectively. Women within the age bracket of 31-35 had the highest prevalence of T. vaginalis (36.00%) while those within 36-40 years and 26-30 years had the highest prevalence of C. albicans (33.33%) and co-infections (43.00%) respectively. Women within their 3rd trimesters of pregnancy had the highest prevalence of 30.40% and 32.41% respectively for T. vaginalis and C. albicans, while those in their 2nd trimester had the highest prevalence in co-infections (30.00%).

Keywords: Asymptomatic, prevalence, co-infection, Candida albicans, Tirchomonas vaginalis