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Phospholipase Activity of Candida Species Isolated from Diabetic Patients
Negar Amini1, Rasoul Mohammadi1,2
1Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Background:
Candidiasis is one of the prevalent fungal infections caused by the genus Candida. The clinical manifestation ranges from mucocutaneous colonization to disseminated and fatal infections such as candidemia. Diabetes mellitus is one of the significant predisposing factors for this fungal infection. Candida spp. may release many exoenzymes such as phospholipase to debilitate the immune system and facilitate adherence and invasion of the fungus to the host cells. The aim of the present study is evaluation of phospholipase activity of Candida species isolated from candidemia and gastroesophageal candidiasis (GEC) among diabetic patients.
Materials And Methods:
Eighty-three Candida isolates were evaluated for enzyme activity by phenotypic (the precipitation zone around the colonies) and molecular methods (detection of phospholipase genes using duplex polymerase chain reaction with specific primers).
Results:
Eight out of eighty-three clinical isolates (9.6%) were negative for phospholipase production. All phospholipase producers among candidemia and GEC isolates were categorized in high production group.
Conclusions:
Our findings revealed no differences in phospholipase activity among isolates obtained from different body sites (blood, oesophagus and stomach); however, non-albicans Candida species had less phospholipase activity.
Insights
Diabetic patients with candidemia and gastroesophageal candidiasis showed high phospholipase activity. Non-albicans Candida species exhibited lower phospholipase production compared to other Candida species.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Candidiasis, a fungal infection caused by *Candida* species, presents a spectrum of illness from colonization to life-threatening candidemia.
- Diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for candidiasis.
- Candida* species produce exoenzymes like phospholipase, which can impair host immunity and promote fungal invasion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the phospholipase activity of *Candida* species isolated from diabetic patients with candidemia and gastroesophageal candidiasis (GEC).
Main Methods:
- Eighty-three *Candida* isolates were analyzed for phospholipase activity using phenotypic methods (zone of precipitation) and molecular methods (duplex PCR for phospholipase genes).
Main Results:
- A total of 9.6% (8 out of 83) of the clinical isolates were negative for phospholipase production.
- All phospholipase-producing isolates from candidemia and GEC cases were classified into a high production group.
Conclusions:
- No significant difference in phospholipase activity was observed among *Candida* isolates from blood, esophagus, and stomach.
- Non-*albicans Candida* species demonstrated reduced phospholipase activity compared to other *Candida* species.
