Application of RAPD and restriction enzyme analysis to the study of oral carriage of Candida albicans.

The genetic similarity of nineteen isolates of Candida albicans from four patients were compared by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using EcoRI or HinfI, which both detected five types, and by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), which detected three types. Phenotypically unusual isolates also produced distinct patterns with both typing systems demonstrating the carriage of two groups of C. albicans as well as the presence of more than one type in some subjects. Methods of DNA preparation were compared for the production of reproducible patterns; including using the supernatant fluid of boiled intact or spheroplasted cells for RAPD, and DNA precipitated from chloroform extracted cell lysate for RFLP and RAPD. Consistent patterns were produced from the DNA precipitate by RAPD and after an additional precipitation by RFLP, thus removing the necessity for lengthy extraction procedures or the use of toxic chemicals for purification.