Molecular discrimination of cryptic Candida albicans speciescomplex isolated from patients in southeastern Iran

Background and Aim : Candida albicans species complex is well known as the main cause ofcandidiasis, particularly among susceptible individuals. We aimed to report the genetic diversityof the cryptic C. albicans complex isolates from various clinical samples in Kerman, Iran.Methods : A total of ۱۱۲ yeast isolates were obtained from different clinical samples and werecharacterized to the species level by conventional and molecular methods. The isolates weresubjected to polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)using enzymes Msp I. The discrimination of the C. albicans species complex was conducted bythe partial amplification of the HWP۱ gene.Results : The majority of clinical isolates were C. albicans complex (n=۴۸) followed by C. glabratacomplex (n=۳۴), C. parapsilosis complex (n=۲۱), and C. krusei (n=۹). Among C. albicanscomplex, ۴۵ isolates were C. albicans (۹۴%), ۲ isolates were C. dubliniensis (۴%), and one isolatewas C. africana (۲%). C. albicans isolates (n=۴۵), were either homozygous with a single band at~۹۴۱ bp (۲۷ strains) or heterozygous with two bands at ۸۰۰ and ۹۴۱ bp (۱۸ strains).Conclusion : Regarding the high incidence of Candida infections particularly in susceptiblepopulations and the emergence of an infrequent yeast species, which is indistinguishable usingconventional methods, developing accurate molecular methods for laboratory diagnosis should beconsidered in the clinical setting.

کلیدواژه ها:

Candida albicans ، Candidiasis ، Polymerase Chain Reaction ، Iran