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Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis
08:48

Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis

Published on: March 19, 2019

[Opportunistic yeast infections and enzymatic profile of the etiological agents]

Danielle Patrícia Cerqueira Macêdo1, Aline Mary de Almeida Farias, Reginaldo Gonçalves de Lima Neto

  • 1Departamento de Micologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE.

Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical
|May 19, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Yeast infections in immunocompromised patients are serious. Evaluating proteinase secretion from Candida species can help identify virulent strains and serve as a prognostic marker for better patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • Yeast infections, particularly candidiasis, pose a significant threat to immunocompromised individuals.
  • The epidemiological landscape of yeast infections is evolving due to emerging Candida species.
  • Proteinase secretion is a key virulence factor in pathogenic Candida species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To diagnose yeast infections in immunocompromised patients.
  • To evaluate the virulence of etiological agents by assessing proteinase secretion.
  • To investigate the role of proteinase activity as a prognostic marker in candidiasis.

Main Methods:

  • Collected samples from 104 immunocompromised patients.
  • Identified and isolated various Candida species from infected patients.
  • Utilized a proteinase secretion assay with bovine serum albumin as a substrate to quantify enzymatic activity.

Main Results:

  • 19 out of 104 patients experienced yeast infections, primarily affecting the respiratory and urinary tracts.
  • Commonly isolated species included Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis.
  • Emerging species like Candida krusei and Candida guilliermondii were also identified.
  • High enzymatic activity was observed in five Candida parapsilosis isolates, one Candida albicans isolate, and one Candida guilliermondii isolate.

Conclusions:

  • Enzymatic characterization of Candida isolates, specifically proteinase secretion, can serve as a valuable prognostic marker.
  • This approach is particularly relevant for immunocompromised patients where yeast infections are often severe.
  • Understanding virulence factors aids in managing and predicting outcomes of candidiasis in vulnerable populations.

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