Incidence of Candidiasis among Pregnant Women Attending Baraya Specialist Hospital and Anti Fungal Activity of Garlic Oil

Abstract

Candida species are part of the human microbial flora. Candidiasis is a disease caused by Candida. Candida albicans is an opportunistic infection meaning it uses opportunities where there is an imbalance in the human normal flora, it then proliferates and cause infection. Pregnancy among may other factors can cause this infection and affect babies at birth. Allicin in garlic oil has antifungal properties especially against Candida albicans. This study aims at finding vaginal candidiasis among women in different trimesters and the antifungal activity of garlic oil on Candida albicans. The highest occurrence of the test organism was highest in the third trimester. Where the positive samples were 1, 4 and 12 in the first, second and third trimester respectively out of 50 samples collected. Phytochemical analysis of garlic oil was positive in saponin, alkaloids, flavonoid and negative in glycosides and tannins. Susceptibility of Candida albicans to the two oils extracted, that is using n-hexane and the maceration technique showed zones of inhibition of 0.00mm and 3mm respectively.