Phospholipase and proteinase activities of clinical isolates of Candida from immunocompromised patients.
Sixty-one isolates of Candida recovered from HIV seropositive and cancer patients were studied for elaboration of putative virulence determinants--phospholipase (PL) and secreted aspartyl proteinase (Sap). Forty two (68.85%) isolates examined were PL producers and 51 (83.6%) were positive for Sap. 57.37% (35/61) isolates produced both enzymes. Enzymatic activity was more pronounced in Candida albicans with 100% PL and 94.1% Sap activity. In contrast, non-C. albicans species demonstrated only 29.6% PL and 70.3% Sap activity, indicating interplay of other virulence determinants in these yeasts in colonization and disease.
Kumar
C P Girish
CP
Department of Microbiology, Dr ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani, Chennai, 600 113, India.
Kumar
S Suresh Jothi
SS
Menon
Thangam
T
D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D010740:Phospholipases / Q000378:metabolism*; D014774:Virulence
D010740:Phospholipases; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases