What is it?

A Candida culture is a specific type of culture test used to diagnose a Candida fungal infection. Candida is a genus of yeast that can live harmlessly on our skin and mucous membranes, but under certain conditions, it can overgrow and cause infections.

When is a Candida Culture Performed?

A Candida culture may be ordered if you have symptoms suggestive of a Candida infection in various areas of the body, such as:

• Vaginal yeast infection: Symptoms include vaginal itching, burning, irritation, discharge (may be thick, white, and clumpy) and pain during intercourse.

• Oral thrush: Symptoms include white patches on the tongue and inner cheeks, along with soreness or burning.

• Esophageal candidiasis: This affects the esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. Symptoms can include difficulty swallowing, pain with swallowing, and a feeling of something stuck in your throat.

• Skin fold dermatitis: This can occur in areas where skin touches skin, such as under the breasts, in the groin area, or around the buttocks. Symptoms include redness, itching, and scaling.

How is a Candida Culture Performed?

The specific procedure for collecting a sample for a Candida culture will depend on the suspected location of the infection. Here are some general possibilities:

• Vaginal swab: A healthcare professional will insert a sterile swab into the vagina to collect a sample of discharge.

• Oral swab: A swab is used to collect a sample from the white patches on the tongue or inner cheeks.

• Throat swab: Similar to an oral swab, but reaching further back into the throat.

• Skin scraping: A small sample of skin cells from the affected area may be collected with a scalpel.

The collected sample is then sent to a laboratory for culturing. In the lab:

• The sample is placed on a special medium that promotes the growth of fungus, specifically Candida.

• The laboratory professionals monitor the culture for growth. If Candida grows, they will identify the specific species involved.

  
  

Interpreting the Results:

• Negative Culture: No Candida or very low levels were detected, suggesting another cause for your symptoms or no active infection.

• Positive Culture: Candida was identified in the culture. The report will specify the species of Candida and may indicate the quantity of growth.

A positive culture result alone may not necessarily mean you have an infection. Sometimes, small amounts of Candida can be present without causing any symptoms. Your doctor will consider your symptoms, the amount of Candida growth in the culture, and other factors to determine if you have a Candida infection and recommend treatment.

Treatment of Candida Infections:

Treatment for Candida infections typically involves antifungal medications. The specific medication and duration of treatment will depend on the type and severity of the infection.

If you have any questions about a Candida culture or Candida infections, talk to your doctor.