Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis in Oral Candidosis: Quantitative Analysis, Exoenzyme Activity, and Antifungal Drug Sensitivity

• DOI: 10.1007/s11046-008-9154-8
• Publication Date: 2008-09-11T13:43:33Z
• Authors: Karen Regina Cari...; Joseane Cristina ...; Marilena Chinali ...; Regina Celia Candido
• Keywords: Adult; Male; 0301 basic medicine; Antifungal Agents; Colony Count, Microbial; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Candidiasis, Oral; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Phospholipases; Amphotericin B; Candida albicans; Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; Humans; Female; Candida tropicalis; Itraconazole; Fluconazole

Candida albicans and C. tropicalis obtained from whole saliva of patients presenting signs of oral candidosis were assayed for quantification of colony forming units, exoenzyme activity (phospholipase and proteinase) and antifungal drug sensitivity (amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole) by the reference method of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The number of colony forming units per milliliter varied according to the Candida species involved and whether a single or mixed infection was present. Proteinase activity was observed in both C. albicans and C. tropicalis, but phospholipase activity was noted only in C. albicans. In vitro resistance to antifungals was verified in both species, but C. tropicalis appears to be more resistant to the tested antifungals than C. albicans.