Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a common problem in women. The purpose of this study was to compare two identification methods new PCR analysis (with DNA extracted from samples) and conventional culture technique in detection of Candida species in vulvovaginal samples.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental-analytical study, 150 women of fertility ages participated and two vaginal discharge samples were collected by speculum. One sample used for direct DNA extraction as well as PCR and the other was used for culture and phenotypic evaluations. Phenotypic evaluations waere performed by germ tube and chlamydospore formation and specially culture in chrome agar medium to detect color of the colonies. PCR was performed by DNA extracted from samples as templates and finally size of Candida specific amplicons was determined.

Results: From 150 samples, 87 in culture and 127 in new PCR technique were positive. In culture method, from total 87  Candida species , 73 C. albicans, 12 C. glabrata and 2 C. tropicalis were isolated whereas in new PCR technique, from  total 127 candida species 107  C. albicans, 18 C. glabrata and 2 C. tropicalis were identified. Concordance of the two methods were calculated as 68 percent.

Conclusion: The new molecular method (innovative PCR) has the potential to rapidly and accurately diagnose Candida vulvovaginitis in patients and can be used for diagnosis of  Candida species in clinical specimens.