Background : Vulvovaginal candidiasis occurs due to the overgrowth of candida in genital system mucosa of females.

  Symptoms and signs of vulvovaginal candidiasis are unspecific, therefore its diagnosis based on them (symptoms and signs) is not certain.

  The aim of this research was comparison the result of indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA with culture and direct microscopy examination in patient with vulvovaginal candidiasis.

  Methods : This was acomparative-descriptive study that was performed on 87 patients and 50 normal cases. All specimens were examined under direct microscopy, culturing and complimentary test to differentiate the candida species from each other. Serological tests such as indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA were performed on sera of the patients. To compare the quantitative and qualitative data in order t-student test, chi-square and exact fisher test were used, if necessary.

  Results : Out of 87 specimens ,50 cases were diagnosed as vulvovaginal candidiasis. In order , frequency of the isolated pathogens were: C.albicans, C.glabrata,C.kefyr , C.inconspicua and C.famata. Also in order frequency of control groups were: C.albicans, C.glabrata and C.kefyr. In this study all of normal cases were negative in indirect immunofluorescence test and in patients group 42 person(84%) were positive and 8 (16%) negative. Control groups were negative in ELISA and in patient group 40 person(80%) were positive and 10 person(20%) negative.

  Conclusion : It seems in cases that are not possible to perform direct microscopic and culturing methods, ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence can be used as a replacement method.