title: [Examination of the genetic variability among biofilm-forming Candida albicans clinical isolates].
abstract: Biofilms are microbial communities encased in a self-produced polymeric matrix and represent a common mode of microbial growth. Candida albicans is able to colonize the surface of catheters, prostheses, and epithelia, forming biofilms that are highly resistant to antimicrobial drugs. The objective of this study was the genotypic characterization of biofilm-forming C. albicans clinical isolates using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA). We have studied 25 clinical isolates of C. albicans from oral cavities, blood, skin, nail, stool, oesophagus biopsy and vaginal fluids from patients suffering from candidiasis. For each strain biofilm formation was analysed by measuring the ability to adhere to and grow on polystyrene plastic surfaces using XTT [2,3-bis(2-methoxi-4nitro-5sulfophenil)-2H tetrazolium-5carboxanilide] reduction assay. The similarity coefficients generated by RAPD using four different primers varied from 49 to 91%, indicating a high degree of genetic variability between the clinical isolates. The dendrogram clustered the isolates in four related groups, all groups included strains with very different abilities to form biofilms. The isolates with similar genotypes often showed very different biofilm formation abilities. Strains were grouped into clusters independently of their clinical sources. Our results suggested that a direct correlation does not exist between the biofilm-forming ability of natural populations of C. albicans and the genotype as determined by RAPD.
authors: Centro de Micología, Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. esteladuran2003@yahoo.com.ar
authors: Estela Liliana
authors: EL
authors: Durán
authors: Maria Teresa
authors: MT
authors: Mujica
authors: Virginia Marta
authors: VM
authors: Jewtuchowicz
authors: Jorge Luis
authors: JL
authors: Finquelievich
authors: Maria Victoria
authors: MV
authors: Pinoni
authors: Cristina Adela
authors: CA
authors: Iovannitti
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000382:microbiology; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000382:microbiology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010802:Phylogeny; D011137:Polystyrenes; D019105:Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D011137:Polystyrenes