CANDIDIASIS – CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS; INVESTIGATION AND DIAGNOSIS
The usual symptoms of candidal vaginitis are itching in the anogenital area, a vaginal discharge which may be white and cheesy or mucopurulent, and odour. Signs include a vaginal discharge, excoriation of the skin and violaceous oedema of the vulva. The presence of yeasts may be noted in cervical smears.
The history and clinical examination will frequently indicate the diagnosis. Other causes of vaginitis can be excluded by the absence of trichomonads or clue cells on wet mount examination and a vaginal pH below 4.5. The organism can be detected by microscopic examination of vaginal smears or by culture on Sabouraud’s medium. If the patient’s history suggests exposure to STD, examination for concurrent infections should be considered.
The possibility of a predisposing condition should be considered and patients should be tested for glycosuria.
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