Prevalence, Antifungal Susceptibility and Etiology of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis and Meta-regression

Prevalence of urinary tract infections and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates in first-time ANC attendees at a secondary health facility in Ghana: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in pregnant women are a common public health concern. Identifying the prevalence of bacteriuria, the causative organisms, and their anti-microbial susceptibility profiles against commonly prescribed antibiotics used to treat UTIs among pregnant women is an aim this study seeks to attain. This aim is critical in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 3.1 and 3.2, targeted at reducing the scourge of global maternal mortality.

METHODS

This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women seeking antenatal care at a secondary health facility in Ghana. Mid-stream urine samples from the study participants were collected aseptically, and their physical and biochemical composition was determined semi-quantitatively. Urine samples were examined, and microscopy was conducted, after which they were cultured. Organisms in significant urine culture growth were isolated and tested against commonly prescribed antibiotics used to treat UTIs at the facility using standard protocols to determine their antibiotic sensitivity patterns.

RESULTS

A total of 200 pregnant women with a mean age of 27.8 ± 6.1 years participated in the study. Almost half, 48.0% (96) of all the study participants, reported for booking in the second trimester of their pregnancy. A 39.0% (78/200) positive culture growth in all the urine samples, with bacteria species responsible for the culture growth in 21.5% (43/200) of the total urine samples, was noted in this study. Ninety-one organisms were isolated, with 38.5% (35/91) being yeast-like cells, 31.9% (29/91) Escherichia coli, and 8.8% (8) Pseudomonas spp and 7.7% (7) being Klebsiella spp. There was a varying resistance of the isolated bacteria, ranging from 50.0% to 100.0%, to commonly prescribed antibiotics used in treating UTIs at the facility.

CONCLUSIONS

Bacteriuria in the study participants was relatively high, which warrants screening all pregnant women and treating those infected with appropriate anti-microbial regimens to reduce its complications. Also, the variable sensitivity of isolated bacteria to commonly prescribed antibiotics at the facility is a concern; as such, health education on anti-microbial stewardship should be incorporated into routine antenatal education for pregnant women in Ghana.

Immune responses to vaginal candidiasis in African women: A scoping review of cytokine profiles, T-cell activation, and gene expression

BACKGROUND

Recent immunological studies of vaginal candidiasis in African populations have revealed complex host‒pathogen interactions with implications for therapeutic development and HIV acquisition risk.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review synthesized evidence from Uganda, Zambia, South Africa, and Kenya between 2020 and 2024, focusing on immune responses, cellular dynamics, and tissue effects due vulvovaginal candidiasis.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed a coordinated inflammatory response marked by elevated levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 and increased chemokine IL-8-mediated immune cell recruitment. Compared with those in control individuals, distinct T-cell population patterns in colonized individuals show reduced Th17-like CD4+ T-cell activation, with concurrent increases in Th1/Th2-enriched CD4+ T cells. Molecular analysis revealed that 162 differentially expressed genes were involved primarily in neutrophil-mediated immunity and cytokine signaling pathways. Despite robust immune activation, tissue integrity remained intact, accompanied by elevated antimicrobial peptides SLPI and BD-2. Notably, Candida-colonized individuals presented reduced frequencies of HIV target cells (CCR5 + HLA-DR + CD4 + T cells).

CONCLUSION

These findings advance our understanding of population-specific immune responses to vaginal candidiasis and identify promising therapeutic targets, highlighting the need for longitudinal studies to characterize vulvovaginal candidiasis immunopathogenesis fully in African populations.

Lack of Candida africana in Ugandan pregnant women: results from a pilot study using MALDI-ToF

BACKGROUND

Candida africana is an emergent variant that has been listed as a new species or variety within the Candida albicans complex since 2001. It has a worldwide intra-albicans complex pooled prevalence of 1.67% and varies between 0 and 8% depending on geographical region. We present the results of a pilot study on its prevalence in Uganda.

METHODOLOGY

We conducted a cross-sectional study between March and June 2023. We recruited 4 pregnant women from Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital, 102 from Kawempe National Referral Hospital, and 48 from Sebbi Hospital. Vaginal swabs were tested using microscopy, culture and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF).

RESULTS

The prevalence of C. africana was zero. Out of the 103 isolates, the majority (81.553%) were identified as Candida albicans, followed by Nakeseomyces glabrata (13.592%) and Pichia kudriavzevii (1.942%). Cyberlindnera jadinii, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis each accounted for 0.971% of the isolates.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of C. africana in Uganda is zero. However, large-scale cross-sectional studies, including studies involving the collection of vaginal samples from both urban and rural settings in Uganda and the use of both MALDI-TOF- and PCR-based laboratory methods, are needed to fully describe the public health burden of C. africana infections.

Re-estimation of the burden of serious fungal diseases in Uganda

Background

It is of utmost importance to monitor any change in the epidemiology of fungal diseases that may arise from a change in the number of the at-risk population or the availability of local data.

Objective

We sought to update the 2015 publication on the incidence and prevalence of serious fungal diseases in Uganda.

Methods

Using the Leading International Fungal Education methodology, we reviewed published data on fungal diseases and drivers of fungal diseases in Uganda. Regional or global data were used where there were no Ugandan data.

Results

With a population of ~45 million, we estimate the annual burden of serious fungal diseases at 4,099,357 cases (about 9%). We estimated the burden of candidiasis as follows: recurrent Candida vaginitis (656,340 cases), oral candidiasis (29,057 cases), and esophageal candidiasis (74,686 cases) in HIV-infected people. Cryptococcal meningitis annual incidence is estimated at 5553 cases, Pneumocystis pneumonia at 4604 cases in adults and 2100 cases in children. For aspergillosis syndromes, invasive aspergillosis annual incidence (3607 cases), chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (26,765 annual cases and 63,574 5-year-period prevalent cases), and prevalence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis at 75,931 cases, and severe asthma with fungal sensitization at 100,228 cases. Tinea capitis is common with 3,047,989 prevalent cases. For other mycoses, we estimate the annual incidence of histoplasmosis to be 646 cases and mucormycosis at 9 cases.

Conclusion

Serious fungal diseases affect nearly 9% of Ugandans every year. Tuberculosis and HIV remain the most important predisposition to acute fungal infection necessitating accelerated preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic interventions for the management of these diseases.

Fungal Infections, Treatment and Antifungal Resistance: The Sub-Saharan African Context

Fungal pathogens cause a wide range of infections in humans, from superficial to disfiguring, allergic syndromes, and life-threatening invasive infections, affecting over a billion individuals globally. With an estimated 1.5 million deaths annually attributable to them, fungal pathogens are a major cause of mortality in humans, especially people with underlying immunosuppression. The continuous increase in the population of individuals at risk of fungal infections in sub-Saharan Africa, such as HIV patients, tuberculosis patients, intensive care patients, patients with haematological malignancies, transplant (haematopoietic stem cell and organ) recipients and the growing global threat of multidrug-resistant fungal strains, raise the need for an appreciation of the region's perspective on antifungal usage and resistance. In addition, the unavailability of recently introduced novel antifungal drugs in sub-Saharan Africa further calls for regular evaluation of resistance to antifungal agents in these settings. This is critical for ensuring appropriate and optimal use of the limited available arsenal to minimise antifungal resistance. This review, therefore, elaborates on the multifaceted nature of fungal resistance to the available antifungal drugs on the market and further provides insights into the prevalence of fungal infections and the use of antifungal agents in sub-Saharan Africa.

Five-year cross-sectional study to determine the burden of Candida spp. infections of the urinary tract system among patients attending tertiary hospital in Northwestern Tanzania

OBJECTIVE

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) stand as a prominent global health concern. This study entails a 5-year retrospective analysis, using a cross-sectional study design to examine microbiology laboratory data of individuals clinically diagnosed with UTIs at Bugando Medical Centre to gain insights into the prevalence and factors linked to candiduria.

METHODOLOGY

Data extracted were meticulously cleaned and coded in an MS Excel sheet, subsequently transferred to STATA V.15 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with candiduria. A probability value below 0.05 at a 95% CI was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Urine samples for culture and sensitivity comprised 33.4% (20755) of the total biological samples (62335). The median age of the patients stood at 19 years. A slight majority were female, accounting for 52.8% (10051), and two-thirds sought treatment at outpatient departments (67.5%, 12843). Among patients with significant pathogenic growth, the prevalence of candiduria was 4.6% (221 out of 4772). Notably, inpatients exhibited a higher incidence of candiduria compared with outpatients, with rates of 9.4% (1882) versus 1.6% (2890), p value of 0.000. Non-albicans Candida spp. (NAC) remained the most prevalent pathogen. Factors significantly associated with candiduria included being female (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.3) and hospital admission (OR=6.6, 95% CI 4.7 to 9.2). In conclusion, candiduria affect 5 out of every 100 UTI-diagnosed patients, predominantly among females and those admitted to the hospital. Clinicians at tertiary hospitals should consider urinary candidiasis as a potential diagnosis for patients at risk who present with UTI-like symptoms.

Species identification, antifungal susceptibility patterns, and vitamin D3 level in women with vaginal candidiasis: a case-control study in Iran

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a fungal infection that is a global issue of women's health due to its association with morbidity, infertility, and economic costs. This study aimed to compare the vitamin D3 levels between women with VVC to healthy controls and determine the species distribution and susceptibility pattern of isolates. Species identification was performed using sequencing of the ITS-rDNA regions and amplification of the HWP1 gene. Antifungal susceptibility testing was determined by the disk diffusion method. Moreover, serum vitamin D3 levels were measured using a commercial ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kit. Our results indicated that vitamin D3 level in women with VVC was lower than those of healthy women (p-value < .001). Candida albicans complex (62.8 percent) was the most common species, and most species were susceptible to fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, and nystatin. In conclusion, our study revealed a potential link between vitamin D3 deficiency and VVC in women. Although our findings showed significantly lower vitamin D3 levels in women with VVC, further research is needed to establish a definitive causative relationship between vitamin D3 deficiency and VVC. Nonetheless, our study highlights the potential importance of maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D3 and the need for further exploration in this area.

Fungal infections in Sudan: An underestimated health problem

Fungal diseases are associated with high morbidity and mortality, yet their epidemiology and burden are not well addressed. While deaths probably exceed 1.5 million per year, many cases remain undiagnosed and underreported. Estimating the burden of these diseases is needed for prioritization and implementation of effective control programs. Here we used a model based on population at risk to estimate the burden of serious fungal infections in Sudan. The prevalence of the susceptible population including HIV, TB, cancer, asthma, and COPD was obtained from the literature. Incidence and prevalence of fungal infections were calculated using local data when applicable and if not available then regional or international figures were used. In total, the estimated number of Sudanese suffering from fungal disease is 5 M (10% of the total population). Tinea capitis, recurrent vulvovaginitis and keratitis are estimated to affect 4,127,760, 631,261, and 6,552 patients, respectively. HIV-related mycosis is estimated to affect 5,945 oral candidiasis, 1,921 esophageal candidiasis, 571 Pneumocystis pneumonia, and 462 cryptococcal meningitis cases. Aspergillus infections are estimated as follow: 3,438 invasive aspergillosis, 14,950 chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, 67,860 allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis cases, while the prevalence of severe asthma with fungal sensitization and fungal rhinosinusitis was 86,860 and 93,600 cases, respectively. The neglected tropical disease eumycetoma was estimated to affect 16,837 cases with a rate of 36/100,000. Serious fungal infections are quite common in Sudan and require urgent attention to improve diagnosis, promote treatment, and develop surveillance programs.

Epidemiological Profile of Patients with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis from a Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic in Southern Spain

Epidemiological data on women suffering from vulvovaginal candidiasis and its recurrence are outdated and vague. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of women diagnosed with vulvovaginal candidiasis, as well as the epidemiological profile and associated risk factors in the province of Granada (Spain). Data from the Centre for Sexually Transmitted Infections of the Granada province between 2000 and 2018 (N = 438) were used in this study. Associations between sociodemographic and sexual behaviour variables with vulvovaginal candidiasis were analysed using the Chi-square test and bivariate logistic regression. The prevalence of candidiasis was 14.6%. The sociodemographic profile corresponded to a woman aged 25.14 ± 4.8 years on average, who is of Spanish nationality (60.9%), a student (55.7%), in non-active employment (59.7%), with a higher education (56.7%), single (93.5%), and under 30 years of age (79.7%). Variables associated with this diagnosis were the absence of oro-genital contact (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 0.25-0.74), having a regular partner (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.05-3.75), and age of sexual debut, with the probability increasing by 12% (95% CI = 1.00-1.24) with each year. In this context, vulvovaginal candidiasis infection is common, and its epidemiological profile is contradictory, so our results do not suggest a relevant role of sexual risk behaviours in the diagnosis. Further research is needed to improve the estimates and factors associated with this infection.

High diversity of yeast species and strains responsible for vulvovaginal candidiasis in South-East Gabon

OBJECTIVES

Candida albicans generally remains the principal pathogenic yeast responsible for vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), although with variable prevalence. In this study, we evaluated the evolution of the prevalence of the non-Candida albicans Candida (NCAC) species and investigated the genotypic diversity and the population genetic structure of the circulating C. albicans strains associated with VVC in the vicinity of Franceville (Gabon).

METHODS

A total of 110 independent isolates were identified using both MALDI-TOF MS and conventional techniques. The population genetic structure of the C. albicans strains was determined by multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis using 4 microsatellite markers.

RESULTS

The mean and median age of the patients was 31 years. Seven patients had a mixed infection. C. albicans accounted for 62 % (n=68) of the total isolates. NCAC were dominated by C. glabrata, followed by P. kudriavzevii, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, M. guilliermondii, and C. nivariensis. The cluster analysis revealed a high diversity, with a total of 50 different genotypes. The most represented genotype was shared by only four strains, while the vast majority (39 strains) had a unique MLVA pattern. Geographic clusters were not detected.

CONCLUSION

The study provides information on species distribution and possible changing epidemiology while reporting for the first time C. nivariensis in VVC in Africa. This study is also the first to investigate the genotypic diversity of the circulating C. albicans strains associated with VVC in Central Africa. Such analyses would help understand the molecular epidemiology of C. albicans.