INFLUENCE OF PATHOGENIC FACTORS OF CANDIDA ALBICANS AND STAPHYLOCOCUS AUREUS ON THE PHAGOCYTIC ACTIVITY OF NEUTROPHILS

Abstract

SUMMARY. The association of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus microorganisms causes various clinical forms of purulent-inflammatory diseases. They are often isolated in cases of infections associated with the formation of biofilms. These pathogens are the causative agents of nosocomial infections that cause severe illness and mortality even with appropriate treatment. The aim – to study the ability of microorganisms to form biofilms in clinical and reference strains of C. albicans and S. aureus, to determine the enzymatic activity of phospholipase and protease of C. albicans strains. Determine the phagocytic activity of neutrophils against clinical and reference strains of C. albicans and S. aureus in vitro. Material and Methods. Neutrophil phagocytic activity was identified by experiments in vitro using standard methods. The reference strains of C. albicans and S. aureus were used as a control group. The ability of microorganisms to form biofilms was determined using of plastic plates for immuno-enzyme analysis. Results. When studying the ability of microorganisms to form biofilms, the indicators for clinical strains of the association were – (1.0987±0.007) units OD for reference strains – (0.0776±0.004) units OD. It has been established that clinical strains of C. albicans had a high activity of the aggressive enzymes as phospholipase and protease. There decrease of all indicators of phagocytic activity of neutrophils relative to the association of C. albicans and S. aureus was found. The phagocytic index for clinical strains was (3.03±0.07), for the reference strains – (3.36±0.27). Conclusion. C. albicans and S. aureus in the association can enhance their virulent properties, and presence of pathogenicity factors, such as aggression enzymes and biofilm formation, help to suppress phagocytic reactions and the immune response generally.