Candida Species Distribution and Antifungal Susceptibility in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Among Women in Abuja, FCT

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is among the most prevalent gynecological infections worldwide, affecting up to 75 percent of women of reproductive age at least once during their lifetime. This descriptive cross-sectional study investigated the distribution of Candida species and their antifungal susceptibility profiles in women presenting with VVC at the National Hospital Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, in the North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. High vaginal swabs were collected from 160 women with clinical features of VVC. Fungal culture was performed on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, and species identification was achieved by germ tube test, chlamydospore formation on corn meal agar, and API 20C AUX biochemical strips. Antifungal susceptibility was assessed by the broth microdilution method per EUCAST guidelines. Candida albicans accounted for 61.3 percent of all Candida isolates, followed by Candida glabrata at 18.1 percent and Candida tropicalis at 12.5 percent. Fluconazole resistance was documented in 24 percent of non-albicans Candida species. HIV-positive women showed a significantly higher burden of non-albicans Candida. These findings indicate a shift toward non-albicans species with reduced fluconazole susceptibility, necessitating species-level identification and targeted antifungal therapy in clinical practice. Keywords: vulvovaginal candidiasis, Candida species, antifungal resistance, Abuja, reproductive health.