A 22-year-old woman presents to the GP with a 3-day history of intense vulval itch and a thick white vaginal discharge. She has had 4 similar episodes...

Question

A 22-year-old woman presents to the GP with a 3-day history of intense vulval itch and a thick white vaginal discharge. She has had 4 similar episodes in the past year, each confirmed as Candida albicans on swab. She asks whether her symptoms could be caused by Candida species other than C. albicans. Which is the most important point?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 10-20% of VVC is caused by non-albicans species (e.g., C. glabrata), which may be resistant to fluconazole - fungal culture with speciation should be requested for recurrent or treatment-resistant cases

Answer

All vulvovaginal candidiasis is caused by C. albicans

Answer

Non-albicans species cause more severe symptoms

Answer

Non-albicans species only affect immunocompromised women

Answer

Treatment is identical for all Candida species

uk-drcog MCQ (SBA): Non-albicans Candida - Speciation in Recurrent VVC