Sexual Health | Pathology | Diagnosing Candidiasis

Diagnosing Candidiasis
Session Overview
Description
This session explains how to diagnose candidiasis. It describes what samples should be taken and how they should be handled. It explains the available diagnostic tests, how to perform them, and how to interpret results.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Identify which samples should be taken to make a diagnosis of candida
• Describe how these samples should be stored and transported
• Describe which tests are available and appropriate to detect candida
• Interpret the results of tests for candida
• Discuss the role of repeat testing after treatment for candida
• Discuss the detection of antifungal drug resistance in candida

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should complete the following sessions:

• Module 2/Interpreting Laboratory Tests (260-0018)
• Module 2/Antigen and Anitbody Tests (260-0019)
• Module 2/Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (260-0020)

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the most frequently diagnosed cause of vaginal symptoms in UK genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics, with approximately 75% of sexually active females having at least one lifetime episode.

It is most commonly caused by the yeast Candida albicans (Fig 1), which may be present as a commensal, producing symptoms when it multiplies and invades the mucosa.

Typical symptoms include vulval pruritus (Fig 2) and burning, and a curdy white discharge. Diagnosis on the basis of clinical symptoms and signs is however unsatisfactory, as many women with suggestive symptoms will not have laboratory confirmation. Examination and testing for other causes is preferable to empirical treatment.