Absence of Candida africana in Ugandan Pregnant Women: Results from a Pilot Study v1

Abstract

Candida africana, an emerging variant identified since 2001 as a distinct species or variety within the Candida albicans complex, exhibits a global prevalence of 1.67%. This study outlines the methodology employed to investigate the presence of C. africana vaginitis in Uganda through a pilot study conducted in three hospitals in central Uganda, focusing on pregnant women receiving antenatal care. The protocol details the procedures implemented for the collection of vaginal swabs from pregnant women and the utilization of laboratory techniques including microscopy, fungal culture, and MALDI-ToF analysis. Notably, the prevalence of C.africana vaginitis was zero, establishing a baseline data tp inform future exploration into cryptic yeast species associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis in Uganda