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.
Department of Microbiology, Dr ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani, Chennai, 600 113, India.
C P Girish
CP
Kumar
S Suresh Jothi
SS
Kumar
Thangam
T
Menon
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