Detection of ERG11 gene in fluconazole resistant urinary candida isolates

Bibliographic Information
Authors: El Said M.; Badawi H.; Gamal D.; Salem D.; Dahroug H.; El-Far A.
Journal: The Egyptian journal of immunology
Publisher: NLM (Medline)
Publication Date: 1 October 2022
Volume / Issue: Volume 29 / Issue 4
Pages: 134–147
ISSN: 11104902
DOI: 10.55133/eji.290413
Scopus: View on Scopus
PubMed: 36208042
Document Type: Article
Access: All Open Access; Bronze Open Access
Authors and Affiliations
El Said M., Department of Microbiology, Infection Prevention & Control Unit, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, 12411, Giza, Egypt, Department of Microbiology, Medicine Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, 21442, Saudi Arabia; Badawi H., Department of Microbiology, Infection Prevention & Control Unit, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, 12411, Giza, Egypt; Gamal D., Department of Microbiology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, 12411, Giza, Egypt; Salem D., Department of Microbiology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, 12411, Giza, Egypt; Dahroug H., Department of Microbiology, Infection Prevention & Control Unit, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, 12411, Giza, Egypt; El-Far A., Department of Microbiology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, 12411, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
Candida species resistant to fluconazole and voriconazole were screened for the presence of ERG11gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Also, the association of this gene with the demonstration of Candida virulence factors; biofilm formation, phospholipase and proteinases activities were studied. A total of 61 Candida isolates were collected from urine specimens. Candida species were identified by API 20 C Aux test. Extracellular phospholipase, secretory aspartyl proteinase and biofilm formation were determined. ERG11 gene was detected by PCR. C. albicans was identified in 34.5%, C. glabrata in 29.5% and C. tropicalis and C. krusei in 18% each. Candida species was resistant to fluconazole and voriconazole in 55.7% and 27.9%, respectively. Seventeen (50%) of fluconazole resistant Candida isolates were sensitive to voriconazole. The most frequently Candida species revealed fluconazole resistance were C. glabrata (47.1%), C. krusei (29.4%), and C. tropicalis and C. albicans (11.8% each). Biofilm formation, phospholipase and proteinase activity were determined in 41.2%, 67.6% and 35.3% of fluconazole resistant Candida isolates, respectively. Erg 11 gene was determined in 82.4% of fluconazole resistant Candida isolates and prominent in C. glabrata (93.75%), followed by C. krusei (90%), C. tropicalis (75%) and C. albicans (25%). Erg 11 gene was detected in 64.7% (11/17) of fluconazole resistant-voriconazole sensitive Candida isolates. Regarding, correlation of Erg11 gene positivity and virulence factors among fluconazole resistant Candida isolates, 34.5% exhibited biofilm formation and 62.1% and 31% showed phospholipase and proteinase activities, respectively. There were statistically significant difference concerning the association of proteinase activities and Erg 11 gene expression among fluconazole resistance Candida isolates (P=0.04). The study emphasizes the high prevalence of Erg11 gene among fluconazole resistant Candida species. There was association between the proteinase activity, fluconazole resistance and the presence of Erg11 among Candida species. Voriconazole maintains better activity towards Candida species and represent an alternative therapy. Copyright© by the Egyptian Association of Immunologists.
Keywords
Antifungal Agents; Aspartic Acid Proteases; Candida; Candida albicans; Fluconazole; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Peptide Hydrolases; Phospholipases; Virulence Factors; Voriconazole; antifungal agent; aspartic proteinase; peptide hydrolase; phospholipase; virulence factor; genetics; human; microbial sensitivity test
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 11
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