Pediatric candiduria, epidemiology, genotype distribution and virulence factors of Candida albicans

Improvement of a low-cost protocol for a simultaneous comparative evaluation of hydrolytic activity between sessile and planktonic cells: Candida albicans as a study model

Candida albicans is often implicated in nosocomial infections with fatal consequences. Its virulence is contributed to hydrolytic enzymes and biofilm formation. Previous research focused on studying these virulence factors individually. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of biofilm formation on the hydrolytic activity using an adapted low-cost method. Eleven strains of C. albicans were used. The biofilms were formed on pre-treated silicone discs using 24-well plates and then deposited on the appropriate agar to test each enzyme, while the planktonic cells were conventionally seeded. Biofilms were analysed using Raman spectroscopy, fluorescent and scanning electron microscopy. The adapted method provided an evaluation of hydrolytic enzymes activity in C. albicans biofilm and showed that sessile cells had a higher phospholipase and proteinase activities compared with planktonic cells. These findings were supported by spectroscopic and microscopic analyses, which provided valuable insights into the virulence mechanisms of C. albicans during biofilm formation.

The evil companion of OSCC: Candida albicans

OBJECTIVE

Microbial dysbiosis and microbiome-induced inflammation may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the most prevalent opportunistic pathogenic fungus in the oral cavity, and Candida infection is considered as one of its high-risk factors. Although oral microbiota-host interactions are closely associated with the development of OSCC, the interrelationship between fungi and OSCC is poorly understood compared to that between bacteria and viruses.

RESULTS

We accumulated knowledge of the evidence, pathogenic factors, and possible multiple mechanisms by which C. albicans promotes malignant transformation of OSCC, focusing on the induction of epithelial damage, production of carcinogens, and regulation of the tumor microenvironment. In addition, we highlight the latest treatment strategies for Candida infection.

CONCLUSION

This review provides a new perspective on the interrelationship between C. albicans and OSCC and contributes to the establishment of a systematic and reliable clinical treatment system for OSCC patients with C. albicans infection.

Antibiofilm Activity of Essential Fatty Acids Against Candida albicans from Vulvovaginal Candidiasis and Bloodstream Infections

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

ABC typing and extracellular enzyme production of Candida albicans isolated from Candida vulvovaginitis

BACKGROUND

Candida albicans is the most common and virulent genus Candida. Detection of virulence factors in this species plays an important role in the better understanding of pathogenesis and antifungal treatment. Molecular typing investigations are important in the epidemiological interpretation of infection. This study aimed to evaluate extracellular enzyme activity and genotyping of C. albicans species isolated from vulvovaginal samples.

METHODS

One hundred and three vaginal C. albicans isolates were tested for esterase, phospholipase, proteinase, and hemolysin activities by specific media. Besides, the DNA of C. albicans isolates was extracted and amplified for ABC genotyping.

RESULTS

The highest enzyme production of C. albicans isolates was for proteinase (97.1%) and esterase (95.2%), whereas 59.2% of C. albicans isolates were negative for hemolysin secretion. Genotype C (83.5%) was the most frequent genotype followed by genotype B (12.6%) and genotype A (3.9%).

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that genotype C was the predominant genotype in all examined vulvovaginal C. albicans isolates. Also, there was a significant difference between enzyme production in each genotype (except for proteinase).