This infection is due to gram-positive fungus candida albicans. It flourishes in an acidic medium with an abundant supply of carbohydrate. It is therefore common in pregnancy and diabetes. Pregnancy favours infection because of the increased vaginal acidity and high glycogen content. Hormonal contraceptive pills also predispose to monilial vaginitis for the same reason. Its incidence has soared since the prolonged use of antibiotis. The patiens frequently date their vaginitis from the time of their treatment by one of these antibiotics.
Symptoms
A woman complains of profuse curdy discharge and intense pruritis. There is often soreness and oedema of the vulva. Dysuria, burning sensation and dyspareunia are other occasional symptoms.
Diagnosis
To a drop of the suspension of vaginal discharge in saline on a slide, add a drop of 10% KOH solution; after mixing the two, place a coverslip on top of it. KOH dissolves all cellular debris, hence candidal hyphae and buds stand out in prominence and are easily diagnosed. The discharge is cultured on sabourard’s medium and nickerson’s medium to confirm the diagnosis.

Read more about the Treatment for Candidiasis….