Genetic diversity and exoenzyme activities of Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis isolated from the oral cavity of Brazilian periodontal patients.
OBJECTIVE
Mucosal surfaces are the primary oral reservoirs of Candida species, but these species can also be found in subgingival biofilm. The present study investigated the genetic diversity and production of exoenzymes of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis isolated from the oral cavity of systemically healthy patients with periodontitis.


METHODS
Fifty-three patients were analysed. Samples were collected from three oral cavity sites (periodontal pocket, gingival sulci and oral mucosa), plated and, after isolation, suspect strains of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis were identified by PCR. The genetic diversity of the isolates was evaluated by RAPD and the activities of the secreted aspartyl proteinases and phospholipases were evaluated by the agar plate method.


RESULTS
Twenty-one patients showed positive results for Candida spp. There were no statistically significant differences between genders, or between sites. C. albicans was the most frequently found specie, while C. dubliniensis was isolated from the periodontal pocket of only one patient. Sixteen genotypes were detected among the C. albicans isolates, and one among the C. dubliniensis isolates. The similarity coefficient (S(SM)) values among the C. albicans genotypes ranged from 0.684 to 1.0 with an average of 0.905+/-0.074. All isolates produced high levels of Saps and most of them produced high levels of phospholipases. No relationship was found between the genotypes and the pattern of enzymatic production. There was no association between specific genotypes and their site of isolation.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study suggest that genetically homogeneous strains of C. albicans are present in the oral cavity of patients with periodontitis and that these strains are capable of producing high levels of exoenzyme.
Barros
Letizia M
LM
Clinical Periodontology, Dental School of University of Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Boriollo
Marcelo F G
MF
Alves
Ana Cláudia B A
AC
Klein
Marlise I
MI
Gonçalves
Reginaldo B
RB
Höfling
José F
JF
D018441:Biofilms; D001938:Brazil; D002175:Candida / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology*