Abstract: Objective To investigate the species and DNA polymorphism of Candida strains from different individuals and to find the relationship between the species or DNA patterns of strains and different patient groups. Methods The present study chose the isolates from 3 different sources groups(from the patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis, recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis or asymptomatic carriers respectively). Germ tube test, chlamydospore test, CHROMagar Candida and API20 kit system were applied to separate non-Candida albicans strains from Candida albicans. Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used to study DNA typing of 97 strains of Candida collected from different patients and to determine whether isolates from different patients were genetically similar or dissimilar. The data were analyzed by SPSS10.0. Results The ninety-seven isolates consisted of 83 strains of Candida albicans and 14 of non-Candida albicans. Of 9 random primers used, two primers (primer 4 and primer 7) gave good reactions, the sequences of which were 5'-ACCCGACCTG-3', 5'-GGTGACGCAG-3' respectively. The 99 isolates could be classified into 19 and 21 genotypes by the two primers respectively. Different genotype was not shown in most isolates from different groups. A particular genotype associated with different conditions was seen in only a few isolates. Conclusion Candida albicans is the main pathogenic yeasts and most strains of non-Candida albicans are C.glabrata in the vulvovaginal candidiasis. Genotyping of most isolates didn't show obvious correlation with different patient groups.

Key words: Candidiasis, vulvovaginal, Candida, Genotype