Abstract:
The aim: To investigate the epidemiology and microbiology of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) after gynecological surgeries, and adverse pregnancy outcomes
in Ukraine.
Materials and methods: Multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2022 and recruited pregnant and non-pregnant
women aged 15–65 years who had sought medical help for vaginal dysbiosis the seven medical clinic from five regions of Ukraine.
Results: Between 2020 and 2022, 2,341 women were followed in gynecological practices, and 1,056 (41.5%) women were diagnosed with VVC during the
same period. Of the total VVC cases, 31.9% were in non-pregnant and 68.1% in pregnant women. The use of antibiotics (OR=3.48), use hormonal contracep tives (OR=2.75) and pregnancy (OR=1.13) were associated with an increase in the risk of VVC diagnosis. Diabetes mellitus (OR=0.44) were additional risk
factors. The most common pathogen of VVC was C. albicans, Nakaseomyces glabratus (C. glabrata), followed by Pichia kudriavzevii (C. krusei), C. parapsilosis,
C. tropicalis, C. kefyr, C. guillieromondii, C. lusitaniae, and C. rugosa. We found no significant difference in adverse pregnancy outcomes between Candida-positive
and Candida-negative women.
Conclusions: Vulvovaginal candidiasis after gynecological surgeries in Ukraine is a common medical problem in women that is associated with significant
morbidity, and hence frequent medical visits. High prevalence rate of vulvovaginal candidiasis in the present study warrants, the importance of conducting
continuous epidemiological surveys to measure changes in species distribution from C. albicans to non-albicans Candida species in Ukraine.
