Investigating virulence factors of clinical Candida isolates in relation to atmospheric conditions and genotype

Abstract

Aim: To investigate some virulence factors in Candida species isolated from patients with suspected invasive fungal infection and to identify their relationship with Candida genotypes. Materials and methods: Overall 45 isolates (20 Candida albicans and 25 non-albicans Candida spp.) genotyped by rep- PCR were included in this study. Virulence factors were studied in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In isolates, egg yolk agar was used for determining phospholipase activity, while bovine serum albumin agar was used for proteinase activity, Tween-80 medium for esterase activity, and Sabouraud dextrose agar with sheep blood for hemolysin activity. Biofilm formation was detected by the microplate method. Results: In both Candida spp., it was found that hemolytic activity and proteinase activity were higher in aerobic conditions, whereas biofilm formation was higher in anaerobic conditions. It was also found that phospholipase and esterase activity were only detected in C. albicans isolates, which were found to be higher in aerobic conditions. No difference was found in virulence factors evaluated among the C. albicans genotypes. Conclusion: The amount of oxygen in the atmosphere may affect the virulence of Candida spp. Further comprehensive studies are needed in order to identify the relationship between Candida genotypes and virulence factors. © TÜBİTAK.