Actividad antifúngica in-vitro del aceite esencial de Eucalyptus globulus en cepas de Candida spp aisladas de secreciones vaginales en el Hospital del Río. Cuenca Enero - Agosto 2025

Abstract

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis, caused by yeast of the genus Candida spp., constitutes one of the most common infections in women of reproductive age. Recurrence, variable therapeutic response, and increasing antifungal resistance complicate conventional management and encourage the search for complementary alternatives, including essential oils. Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil against Candida spp., strains isolated from vaginal secretions at Hospital Universitario del Río (Río University Hospital), Cuenca, during the period January–August 2025. Methods: Descriptive and quasi-experimental in vitro study. Recording technique: 50 Candida spp. strains from the Hospital Universitario del Río strain bank were included and registered using a data collection form. Experimental technique: the antifungal activity of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil was assessed by disk diffusion at concentrations of 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%, according to the Duraffourd scale. Analytical technique: descriptive statistics and overall comparison among concentrations were applied, considering statistical significance (p < 0.05). Results: Eucalyptus globulus essential oil demonstrated inhibitory activity against the evaluated Candida spp. strains, with formation of inhibition halos that varied according to concentration and showed statistically significant overall differences. Conclusions: Eucalyptus globulus essential oil exhibited in vitro antifungal activity against Candida spp., providing relevant evidence under the evaluated conditions. To support its potential projection as a complementary agent, further studies are recommended to strengthen methodological standardization and characterize its safety profile prior to clinical extrapolation.