Uncovering the Yeast Diversity in the Female Genital Tract: An Exploration of Spatial Distribution and Antifungal Resistance.

is the leading cause of vulvovaginal yeast infections; however, other species are becoming relevant in this niche. The spatial distribution of these fungi in the female genital tract remains poorly understood. In this study, swab samples were collected from 33 patients, first from the anterior vulva and then from the upper third and right lateral wall of the vagina: 16 were with symptoms of vulvovaginal candidiasis and 17 were without characteristic symptoms; furthermore, the genus and species of each isolate were identified. In vitro susceptibility testing for fluconazole and clotrimazole was performed for all isolates. was the most common species (63.6%), followed by spp. (51.5%), and then (15.2%). spp. and were more commonly associated with colonization, and with infection. spp. isolates presented a low susceptibility to fluconazole, with the MIC ranging from 32 to >64 µg/mL. Differences in susceptibility to fluconazole and clotrimazole between the pairs of vaginal and vulvar isolates were found for , spp., and . The results suggest that different niches may impact the susceptibility profiles of the isolates, as well as their different clinical behaviors.