CHRONIC VAGINAL CANDIDIASIS RESPONSIVE TO BIOTIN THERAPY IN A CARRIEROF BIOTINIDASE DEFICIENCY

Background: Many patients experience recurrent or persistent episodes of vaginal candidiasis. Some of these women might be carriers of an in born error of biotin metabolism (either biotinidase deficiency or holo carboxylase synthetase activity). These women might benefit from admin istration of pharmacologic amounts of biotin. Case: A 38-year-old grav ida 2, para 2 carrier of biotinidase deficiency presented with a 14-mo nth history of persistent vaginal candidiasis, despite appropriate the rapy. After 3 months of pharmacologic doses of biotin, her symptoms re solved completely. Conclusions: Given that I in every 123 individuals is predicted to be a carrier of biotinidase deficiency, there might be other women with chronic vaginal candidiasis who will respond to biot in administration. (Obstet Gynecol 1998; 92:644-6. (C) 1998 by The Ame rican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.)