Abstract
Background: Candida species are opportunistic fungal pathogens that can affect immune compromised patients and may cause life threatening infections. Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor that enables Candida species to invade the host tissues. This study aimed to assess the ability of Candida albicans to form biofilm in patients with catheter associated candiduria and to determine the presence of some genes involved in biofilm formation at the molecular level. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from June 2019 to June 2020 on 93 catheterized patients admitted to different wards at SCUHs, Ismailia. Candida albicans strains were identified phenotypically by their growth on sabouraud dextrose agar, Gram staining, growth on hypertonic sabouraud broth, chlamydospore formation and germ tube formation test. Biofilm formation was detected by tissue culture plate method. Detection of the genes involved in biofilm formation was done by PCR. Results: Twenty eight Candida albicans strains wereisolated from 36 Candida species. 9 isolates (32.1%) were strong biofilm producers, 6 isolates (21.4%) were moderate biofilm producers and 13 isolates (46.4%) were weak or non-biofilm producers. ALS1 gene was detected in 13 isolates (46.4%), while HWP1 gene was detected in 16 isolates (57.1 %). Conclusion: This study documented the prevalence of candiduria in catheterized patients and found a statistically significant higher prevalence of the tested biofilm forming genes among biofilm forming isolates as compared to the weak or non-biofilm forming ones; but additional studies should be carried out as the management of catheter associated caniduria is still controversial.
Highlights
Candida species belong to the normal microbiota of an individual’s mucosal oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and vagina
Indwelling urinary catheter is one of the most important predisposing factor that contributes to the overgrowth of Candida spp. on which Candida can colonize and form biofilm [16]
Further identification revealed that among the isolated Candida spp., 77.8% were C. albicans while only 22.2% were non- albicans Candida (NAC)
Summary
Candida species belong to the normal microbiota of an individual’s mucosal oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and vagina These yeasts are commensal in healthy humans but they are considered as opportunistic fungal pathogens that may cause many infections in immune compromised patients ranging from superficial infections of skin and mucous membranes to systemic life-threatening invasive infections [1]. This study aimed to assess the ability of Candida albicans to form biofilm in patients with catheter associated candiduria and to determine the presence of some genes involved in biofilm formation at the molecular level. Conclusion: This study documented the prevalence of candiduria in catheterized patients and found a statistically significant higher prevalence of the tested biofilm forming genes among biofilm forming isolates as compared to the weak or non-biofilm forming ones; but additional studies should be carried out as the management of catheter associated caniduria is still controversial
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.