Investigation the esterase, proteinase, and hemolysin activity in Candida species isolated from patients with COVID-۱۹ associated oral candidiasis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESOral candidiasis is a common disease in hospitalized patients with COVID-۱۹. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the production of enzymes involved in pathogenesis in Candida species isolated from patients with COVID-۱۹ associated oral candidiasis hospitalized in Razi hospital, Rasht compared with healthy subjects.MATERIALS AND METHODSThis case-control study was conducted on ۴۳ Candida species isolated from the oral swab samples of patients with COVID-۱۹ associated oral candidiasis and ۴۳ Candida species isolated from the oral swab samples of healthy people (normal flora). Enzyme activity index for important pathogenic factors including proteinase, esterase and hemolysin activity was measured using relevant protocols. p-value <۰.۰۵ with a confidence factor of ۹۵% was considered statistically significant.RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONThe results showed that the activity of esterase, proteinase and hemolysin of Candida species was significantly higher in patients with COVID-۱۹ associated oral candidiasis compared to healthy individuals, and the activity of esterase and hemolysin enzymes in Candida albicans was higher in the both studied groups compared to non-albicans species .CONCLUSIONThe present study showed that the Candida species isolated from patients with COVID-۱۹ associated oral candidiasis and healthy individuals have the potential to produce enzymes involved in pathogenesis, but the activity and pathogenicity of these enzymes in the species isolated from patients is much higher than that of healthy individuals. Therefore, it can be concluded that commensal strains are opportunistic and are able to cause disease in favorable conditions such as COVID-۱۹.

کلیدواژه ها:

COVID-۱۹ Associated Oral Candidiasis ، Candida Species ، Hemolysin ، Esterase ، Proteinase.