Thesis (M.Sc)-Cairo University, 2025.

Bibliography: pages 56-75.

Candida albicans (C. albicans) has been a threatening yeast in animals and humans. Candidiasis is often acquired in immunocompromised hosts and the agent can be seriously pathogenic so that it may kill the affected host if not diagnosed and treated properly. This study aimed at screening women cases and adult female dogs for incidence of C. albicans in their vulvovaginas. A total of 40 vaginal swabs were collected from pregnant and non-pregnant women recruited to obstetrics and gynecology clinics, Police Hospitals at Nasr city and El-shourk city, Cairo governorate. In addition, 110 vaginal swabs were collected from bitches at early stage of estrous, admitted to private veterinary clinics at Cairo and Giza governorates. Out of 140 vaginal swabs, 10 C. albicans isolates were recovered with an overall incidence of 6.66%. However, the incidence was higher among women samples where the incidence was 10% (4 of 40). Regarding bitches’ swabs, the incidence of C. albicans was 5.45% (6 of 110). On characterization, all C. albicans isolates produced germ tubes and the best germ tubes were obtained after 3-hour incubation in10% camel serum in PBS. Four out of six isolates from bitches were positive for phospholipase and proteinase production while 3 out of 4 women isolates were positive for both tests. No correlation was recorded between the production of either one of the two enzymes or both and the clinical picture of the case from which the isolates were recovered. In conclusion, C. albicans is a common commensal fungus that could be a potential pathogen under certain conditions. Incidence of C. albicans in vagina of healthy pregnant and nonpregnant women as well as female dogs at different phases of estrus. No link could be proposed between production of phospholipase and proteinase enzymes and the virulence of isolates recovered in the study as all were from apparently healthy female hosts. Further investigation is recommended on more samples from different sites, hosts and problems

تصيب الكانديدا الأفراد ضعاف المناعة حيث قد تكون الخميرة ممرضة بخطورة تصل إلى الوفاة في العائل المصاب إن لم يشخص ويعالج بدقة. من بين 150 مسحة مهبلية من 40 أنثى كلاب و 110 امرأة تم الحصول على 10 عزلات (6.66%) من كانديدا ألبيكانز (6 من كلاب بنسبة 5.45% و 4 من نساء بنسبة 10%). وبتوصيف العزلات كانت جميعها منتجدة للبراعم الأنبوبية وكان أعلى معدل في 10% مصل إبل في محلول فوسفات لمدة 3 ساعات عند 37 درجة مئوية. وكانت 3 عزلات من الكلاب و4 من النساء إيجابية لإنتاج إنزيمي الفوسفوليبيز والبوتينيز معاً. ولم يستدل على أي ارتباط لإنتاج أي من الإنزيمين بالحالة الإكلينيكية التي تم العزل منها. وخلاصة فإن كانديدا ألبيكانز تمثل فطراً شائعاً يمثل ممرضاً محتملاً تحت ظروف معينة.

Issues also as CD.

Text in English and abstract in Arabic & English.