Investigation of the relationship between fluconazole susceptibility, proteinase activity and ERG11-SAP2 Expression in Candida albicans strains isolated from clinical samples

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Duzce Ataturk State Hospital, Deparment of Medical Microbiology, Duzce, Turkey

2 Duzce University, Medical Faculty, Deparment of Medical Microbiology, Duzce,Turkey

3 2Duzce University, Medical Faculty, Deparment of Medical Microbiology, Duzce,Turkey

4 Duzce University, Medical Faculty, Deparment of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Duzce, Turkey

10.22034/cmm.2024.345311.1585

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Candida albicans is currently recognised as an opportunistic pathogen that can cause many invasive infections. Possible resistance mechanisms and fungal virulence factors are important in treatment effectiveness. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fluconazole resistance in C. albicans strains, their proteinase activities, and ERG11/ SAP2 genes.
Materials and Methods: Candida albicans strains isolated from patient samples sent to our laboratory from various clinics were included in the study. Fluconazole susceptibilities of the isolates were determined by the broth microdilution method. The increase in fluconazole MIC values at 48 hours (tolerance) and proteinase activities of the isolates were analysed. ERG11 and SAP2 gene expression levels were measured by real-time qPCR.
Results: Fluconazole resistance rate was 3.14% in 127 C. albicans strains. A positive linear correlation was determined between ERG11 and SAP2 gene expression levels. There was no correlation between SAP2 and ERG11 expression levels and fluconazole resistance. Proteinase positivity was detected in 103 of 127 strains and no statistically significant correlation was found between proteinase activities and SAP2/ERG11 expression levels. While there was a statistically significant relationship between ERG11 expression levels and 48th-hour MIC elevation, there was no statistically significant relationship between SAP2 levels and 48th-hour MIC elevation.
Conclusion: In addition to the moderate positive correlation between ERG11 and SAP2 values, a significant correlation was found between ERG11 expression and fluconazole tolerance.

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Current Medical Mycology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 18 December 2024

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History

  • Receive Date: 22 October 2024
  • Revise Date: 08 December 2024
  • Accept Date: 18 December 2024
  • Publish Date: 18 December 2024

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