Virulence factors of Candida spp. isolated from COVID-19 patients: hydrolytic enzyme activity and biofilm formation.

IF 4.2 2区生物学 Q2 MICROBIOLOGY

BMC Microbiology Pub Date : 2025-10-02 DOI:10.1186/s12866-025-04351-3

Ahmad Jabrodini, Somayeh Yazdanpanah, Mina Malekzadeh, Shafigheh Shabanzadeh, Maryam Ahmadyan, Keyvan Pakshir, Kamiar Zomorodian

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, an increased prevalence of Candida co-infections has been reported. However, data on the virulence factors of Candida spp. isolated from COVID-19 patients remain scarce. This study aimed to assess the virulence factors of Candida spp. isolated from COVID-19 patients and to explore their potential associations with clinical parameters. A total of 71 Candida (C.) strains were analyzed, representing four species: 49 (69.01%) C. albicans strains, 14 (19.71%) C. glabrata strains, 7 (9.85%) C. tropicalis strains, and 1 (1.40%) C. dubliniensis strain. The activities of proteinase, phospholipase, and hemolysin, as well as biofilm-forming capacity, were evaluated. All C. albicans strains and 21 (95.45%) non-albicans Candida (NAC) strains produced proteinase. Phospholipase activity was detected in 46 (93.87%) C. albicans strains and 10 (45.45%) NAC strains. High hemolytic activity was observed in all Candida strains. Biofilm formation was detected in 31 (43.66%) Candida strains, with variable intensities. These findings highlight high levels of hydrolytic enzyme activity among Candida spp. isolated from COVID-19 patients and contribute to the growing understanding of Candida pathogenesis in immunocompromised populations, providing insights for patient management.

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从COVID-19患者分离的念珠菌菌株的毒力因素：水解酶活性和生物膜形成。

据报道，在2019年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）大流行期间，念珠菌合并感染的患病率有所上升。然而，关于从COVID-19患者中分离的念珠菌的毒力因子的数据仍然很少。本研究旨在评估从COVID-19患者分离的念珠菌的毒力因子，并探讨其与临床参数的潜在关联。共检测到念珠菌71株，分别为白色念珠菌49株（69.01%）、光滑念珠菌14株（19.71%）、热带念珠菌7株（9.85%）、都柏林念珠菌1株（1.40%）。评估了蛋白酶、磷脂酶和溶血素的活性以及生物膜形成能力。所有白色念珠菌菌株和21株（95.45%）非白色念珠菌（NAC）菌株均产生蛋白酶。在46株（93.87%）白色念珠菌和10株（45.45%）NAC菌株中检测到磷脂酶活性。所有念珠菌株均有较高的溶血活性。31株假丝酵母菌（43.66%）检出生物膜形成，强度不同。这些发现强调了从COVID-19患者中分离的念珠菌属中水解酶的高水平活性，并有助于对免疫功能低下人群中念珠菌发病机制的进一步了解，为患者管理提供见解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

BMC Microbiology 生物-微生物学

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

0.00%

发文量

280

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： BMC Microbiology is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on analytical and functional studies of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, viruses and small parasites, as well as host and therapeutic responses to them and their interaction with the environment.