Enzyme production and biotypes of vaginal Candida albicans

Candidial vulvovaginitis is one of the most common forms of vaginal infection. However, the origin of the infecting organism is sometimes doubtful. Therefore, epidemiological investigation can help to recognize routes of infection spreading. The aim of the present study was to determine the ability to produce esterases by clinical isolates of C. albicans and to find the relationship between their serotypes. Also, it was intended to determine the ability of these strains to produce proteases and lipases as well as the ability of the strains to assimilate carbohydrates. 46 strains of C. albicans isolates from the vagina of women suffering from vulvovaginitis were examined. Three main kinds of esterases were distinquished by their spectra of hydrolytic activity toward alpha-naphthyl acetate, beta-naphthyl propionate and indoxyl acetate. The strains were grouped into four categories: three categories in which esterase patterns were observed and one category in which esterase bands were not observed. On the basis of the 20 carbon sources assimilated, the C. albicans strains were categorized into 11 biotypes with the major biotype accounting for 21 (45.7%) strains. The examination of proteolytic activity using casein and albumin enabled to divide the strains into four groups. All of the examined strains belonged to serotype A and all of them expressed lipolytic activity. Esterase electrophoretic patterns and biotypes based on proteolytic activities were compared with the ability to assimilate carbon from various sources.