Identification of Candida Species Isolated from Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Patients by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in Jahrom South of Iran

Background and Objectives: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a frequent infection in females at the reproductive age. Furthermore, the most common causative agent is Candida albicans yet in the recent years, the incidence of non-albicans species has increased. The aim of this study was the isolation and identification of various Candida species from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in Jahrom, Iran. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty suspected women females vaginitis were sampled and examined. Genomic DNA was extracted on the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (rDNA-ITS), and specific electrophoretic patterns of PCR products after digestion with MspI enzyme used for species identification. Results: The cultures were positive for 127 (50.8%) vaginal samples. Candida albicans (95.89%) was the most common species among the isolates, followed by C. glabrata (4.11%). Conclusions: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is more prevalent among females in Jahrom and the predominant agent is C. albicans. In addition, accurate identification of the Candida species could play an important role in treatment of VVC.