title: Investigation of possible virulence factors in Candida strains isolated from blood cultures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Candida species, which are one of the most common causes of nosocomial bloodstream infections, present with high mortality and morbidity rates. This study aims to investigate the production of esterase, phospholipase, proteinase, and biofilm formation ability of the Candida strains isolated from the blood cultures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 2011 and July 2012, the Candida strains, which were isolated from blood cultures of a total of 50 patients, were studied. The esterase activity was analyzed in the Tween-80 agar, while phospholipase activity was studied in the egg yolk agar. The proteinase activity and biofilm formation were identified by using the petri dish method and microplate method, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 50 specimens obtained from individual patients, 17 (34%) were identified as C. albicans, 14 (28%) as C. glabrata, 9 (18%) as C. parapsilosis, 5 (10%) as C. krusei, 4 (8%) as C. kefyr, and 1 (2%) as C. tropicalis. The rate of proteinase, phospholipase, and esterase positivity was higher in the C. albicans isolates. Biofilm formation was the highest in the C. parapsilosis strains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher rate of virulence factors in the most commonly isolated Candida species than other species indicates that these virulence factors play a crucial role in the pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Atalay
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Koc
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sav
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D002176:Candida albicans; D041221:Candida glabrata; D041022:Candida tropicalis; D058387:Candidemia / Q000382:microbiology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology*; D004950:Esterases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010740:Phospholipases / Q000378:metabolism*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D037521:Virulence Factors; D004950:Esterases; D010740:Phospholipases; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases