Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026
Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis
Published on: March 19, 2019
The role of Candida albicans in the severity of multiple sclerosis
Shahla Amri Saroukolaei1, Mojdeh Ghabaee2, Hojjatollah Shokri3
1Neurology Department, Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to compare the specific activity of proteinase A in Candida albicans (C. albicans) between multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and controls. A total of 135 and 100 C. albicans strains were isolated from superficial surfaces of MS patients and healthy controls. Analytical models (regression and neural network) were applied to predict the severity of MS considering specific enzyme activity (SEA) and other factors which affect the expanded disability status scale (EDSS). The SEA of C. albicans in MS patients (3466.95 ± 277.25 μmol min-1 mg-1 ) was significantly more than that of healthy controls (1108.98 ± 294.51 μmol min-1 mg-1 ) that was confirmed by regression model (P < 0.001). The SEA had a positive correlation with the severity of MS (P < 0.001, r = 0.65). Analytical models showed that SEA played the most important role (among all included factors that affect on EDSS) in the severity of MS. The SEA of C. albicans in MS patients was significantly more than the healthy controls. The results suggest that the level of SEA of proteinase A and probably the capacity of C. albicans isolates to invade the host tissue is associated with the severity of MS.
Insights
The specific enzyme activity of Candida albicans proteinase A is significantly higher in multiple sclerosis patients than in controls, correlating positively with disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Neurology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Candida albicans (C. albicans) is a fungal species that can cause opportunistic infections.
- The role of C. albicans in MS pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the specific activity of proteinase A in C. albicans between MS patients and healthy controls.
- To investigate the correlation between C. albicans proteinase A activity and MS severity.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and analysis of C. albicans strains from MS patients (n=135) and healthy controls (n=100).
- Measurement of specific enzyme activity (SEA) of proteinase A.
- Application of analytical models (regression, neural network) to assess SEA's impact on Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
Main Results:
- Significantly higher SEA of C. albicans in MS patients (3466.95 ± 277.25 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹) compared to controls (1108.98 ± 294.51 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹).
- Positive correlation between SEA and MS severity (P < 0.001, r = 0.65).
- SEA identified as the most significant factor influencing EDSS among those analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Elevated SEA of C. albicans proteinase A is associated with MS.
- The findings suggest a potential role for C. albicans virulence factors in MS progression.
- Further research is warranted to explore C. albicans' contribution to MS.
