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. 2019 May 22;19(1):461.
doi: 10.1186/s12879-019-4071-7.

Multilocus sequence typing analysis of Candida africana from vulvovaginal candidiasis

Y X Zhu  1 , Y Shi  2 , S R Fan  3   4   5 , X P Liu  6 , J Yang  1 , S L Zhong  1
Affiliations

Multilocus sequence typing analysis of Candida africana from vulvovaginal candidiasis

Y X Zhu et al. BMC Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Candida africana is distributed worldwide and colonized in human genitalia and cause mainly vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). We report the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis of C. africana from VVC.

Methods: MLST analysis of 43 strains of C. africana, which were isolated from vaginal specimens of patients with VVC, was performed. The enzymatic activity of phospholipase, esterase and haemolysis enzyme production was evaluated.The level of virulent genes and resistant genes mRNA expression was determined by using real-time PCR. Antifungal susceptibilities of the isolates were assayed by using the broth microdilution method. The statistical of the results was determined by the T test and Pearson chi-squared test.

Results: The MLST analysis revealed a substantial degree of genetic homogeneity. The DST782 and DST182 were the main MLST genotypes in C. africana. All the patients were symptomatic and with a high mycological cure rate when treated with commonly used antifungal agents.There were statistically significant differences in biofilm formation and phospholipase activity between C. africana and C.albicans. The level of virulent genes and resistant genes mRNA expression was higher in fluconazole-resistant strains. All C. africana isolates were susceptible to fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin, and micafungin. These isolates also exhibited low MICs to amphotericin B, flucytosine, and posaconazole.

Conclusions: Candida africana appear to be with a low level of sequence variation in MLST loci. Candida africana, a lower virulence candida, is susceptible to commonly used antifungal agents. This paper was presented at the conference of 8th Trend in Medical Mycology (6-9 October 2017, Belgrade, Serbia) and was published on conference abstract.

Keywords: Biofilm; Candida africana; Multilocus sequence typing; Susceptibilities; Vulvovaginal candidiasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
UPGMA dendrogram of 43 C. africana strains based on the seven loci used in the MLST analysis and DSTs assigned by C. albicans MLST database. 43 C. africana strains were divided into 1 clade in the UPGMA dendrogram. DST782 and DST182 were the main MLST types of C. africana
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Expression of the virulence genes in C. africana and C. albicans by quantitative real-time PCR. Compared with the control strains C. albicans ATCC90028 and SC5314, the expression of virulent genes ALS1, ALS5, ALS6, SAP3 and SAP4 decreased in C. africana
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Expression of the drug resistance genes in C. africana and C. albicans by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of CDR1, CDR2, and MDR1 varied among C. africana
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Assessment of biofilms at 8 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h at OD490 nm in microtiter plate reader. Biofilm production were significantly lower in C. africana than that in C. albicans
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