Enzymatic and hemolytic activity in different Candida species.
BACKGROUND
Candida species, in conditions of microbiota imbalance or decreased immune defenses, may be one of the main human fungal pathogens. Virulence factors constitute the mechanisms used by the fungus to avoid host defenses.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the in vitro production of virulence factors, such as hemolytic activity, and deoxyribonuclease (DNase), proteinase, and phospholipase activities in Candida spp.


METHODS
Fifty clinical isolates were analyzed for virulence factors: Candida albicans (15), Candida tropicalis (15), Candida parapsilosis (10), Candida glabrata (5), and Candida krusei (5). Hemolytic activity was determined in Sabouraud dextrose agar plates containing 3% glucose and 7% sheep red cells. Culture media containing, respectively, agar-base DNA, egg yolk, and bovine albumin were used to determine DNase, phospholipase and proteinase activities, respectively.


RESULTS
Forty-eight (96%) of 50 isolates showed hemolytic activity, with 10 (20%) positive for DNase, 19 (38%) for proteinase, and 16 (32%) for phospholipase. Statistically significant differences were observed between species for phospholipase (p<0.0001) and proteinase (p<0.05) production.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that all species had hemolytic activity. DNase activity was detected in all species except in C. glabrata; proteinase activity was detected in C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis; and phospholipase activity was observed in C. albicans and C. tropicalis.
Curso de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Curso Técnico em Análises Clínicas, Escola Técnica de Saúde, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Érika Bezerra de Melo
ÉB
Riceto
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Curso Técnico em Análises Clínicas, Escola Técnica de Saúde, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Ralciane de Paula
Rde P
Menezes
Curso Técnico em Análises Clínicas, Escola Técnica de Saúde, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Mário Paulo Amante
MP
Penatti
Curso Técnico em Análises Clínicas, Escola Técnica de Saúde, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: rpedroso@estes.ufu.br.
Reginaldo Dos Santos
Rdos S
Pedroso
D000818:Animals; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology; D003470:Culture Media; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D004912:Erythrocytes; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D010740:Phospholipases / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D012756:Sheep; D013045:Species Specificity; D014774:Virulence
D003470:Culture Media; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; D010740:Phospholipases; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases
Aspartil proteinasa; Aspartyl proteinase; Candida; Deoxyribonucleases; Desoxirribonucleasa; Factores de virulencia; Virulence factors