Azeredo, Joana

Botelho, C. M.

Henriques, Mariana

Negri, M.

Oliveira, Rosário

Silva, S.

Universidade do Minho: RepositoriUM

Insights on Non-Candida albicans Candida species virulence factors

2ND SCIENTIFIC MEETING OF THE INSTITUTE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING  Braga, 23‐24 October 2010 CENTRE OF BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING UNIVERS IDADE  DO  MINHO 58    Insights on Non-Candida albicans Candida species virulence factors   C.M. Botelho, M. Negri, S. Silva, M. Henriques, J. Azeredo, R. Oliveira  IBB-Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal   Non-Candida albicans Candida (NCAC) species such as Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis and Candida glabrata are responsible for 50 % of candidoses. It is important to highlight that candidose can be a superficial infection or a serious condition (e.g. systemic), which can lead to high morbidity and mortality. NCAC species virulence factors include: adhesion, biofilm formation and enzymes production. Therefore, our group focused its research on NCAC species virulence factors.  In the presence of urine NCAC species are able to colonize silicone (material commonly used on hospital catheters), with C. parapsilosis showing the lowest and C. glabrata the highest levels of adhesion. Biofilm formation studies demonstrated that NCAC species were able to form biofilm, although these were less extensive for C. glabrata. C. glabrata biofilm matrices' had high protein and carbohydrate, while C. tropicalis had low amounts of both components; but C. parapsilosis had high amount of carbohydrates and low protein. The pathogenecity of NCAC species was evaluated by infecting human epithelium. C. glabrata adhered in higher extent but their influence on cell activity was less significant when comparing to other NCAC species. Moreover, C. parapsilosis revealed low invasiveness compared with C. tropicalis but both presented extensive damage after 24 h. RT-PCR results suggested that secreted aspartly proteinases were not involved on the invasion by C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis, but indicated the role of these enzymes in tissue damage caused by C. parapsilosis.  The research performed by our group is a step forward on the development of new therapeutic approaches.  

Insights on Non-Candida albicans Candida species virulence factors

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Universidade do Minho: RepositoriUM

Universidade do Minho: RepositoriUM