Evaluation of exoenzyme profiles of species isolated from females with vaginal candidiasis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The three most common causes of vaginitis are bacteria, yeast, and Protozoa. is one of the most common causes of vaginitis and commonly affects millions of females with different signs and symptoms. Secretion of exoenzymes from species plays an important role in virulence and pathogenesis. Increasing our knowledge about the pathogenesis of candidiasis could help to design new anti- drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the phospholipase, esterase, and hemolysin activities of the vaginal isolates and their correlation with the presence of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 119 isolates from vaginal candidiasis were enrolled in the study. Egg yolk agar, Tween 80 opacity medium, and blood agar plate assays were used for the determination of phospholipase, esterase, and hemolytic activities, respectively.

RESULTS

Based on the findings, 110 (92.44%) isolates showed phospholipase activity, 93 (78.2%) isolates were esterase producers, and 90 (75.6%) species had hemolytic activity.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that most of the tested isolates had different enzymatic patterns. Discrimination of variations in the production of these exoenzymes among different isolates may depend on spp. pathogenicity and could be responsible for the severity of symptoms among the patients.