Investigation of ERG۱۱ Gene Mutations in Fluconazole Resistant Candida albicans Isolated from a Number of Rasht Hospitals

Objective: Azole antifungal drugs have been a treatment option for Candida albicans infections. However, azole resistance can occur through different mechanisms such as alterations in ERG۱۱ (lanosterol ۱۴α-demethylase). This study assesses ERG۱۱ gene mutations in Candida albicans strains isolated from patients with Candidia volvovaginitis in a number of Rasht hospitals between ۲۰۱۲-۲۰۱۴ by direct PCR and sequencing. Methods: We identified the yeast strains by standard identification methods, such as germ tubes. Drug sensitivity was determined as MIC ۹۰ values by the macrodilution broth method based on the CLSI protocol. We screened the resistant strains prior to DNA extraction and ERG۱۱ gene mutations were confirmed by PCR sequencing. Results: From ۴۰ strains, ۴ showed high levels of resistance to fluconazole. Of these, two species had a MIC ۹۰ of ۵۱۲μg/ml and the other two species had a MIC ۹۰ of ۱۰۲۴ μg/ml. Three strains had D۱۱۶E and V۴۵۶G polymorphisms. Conclusion: The most fluconazole resistant Candida albicans strains worldwide were reported. Our results suggested a correlation between the polymorphism and fluconazole resistance in the Candida albicans strains.

کلیدواژه ها:

Erg۱۱ ، Candida albicans ، Fluconazole ، Erg۱۱ ، کاندیدا آلبیکنس ، فلوکونازول