Molecular detection of Candida albicans virulence genes that isolated from periodontitis patients in Al-Hillah city

Abstract

Background: An inflammatory condition known as periodontitis causes the tooth’s supporting tissues to be destroyed over time. One of the current dental problems is its high prevalence and detrimental consequences on quality of life. An oral candidiasis lesion often develops as a result of the development of a complex biofilm containing Candida albicans and other bacteria. Objectives: The objective of this study was to detect C. albicans virulence gene agglutinin-like sequence 1 and hyphal wall protein 1 (ALS1 and HWP1) by molecular method from clinical oral infection sample. Materials and Methods: One hundred fifty oral swabs were obtained from periodontitis patients who attended to a specific dental health center and outpatient clinics of dentistry in Al-Hillah city, Iraq during the period from April 2022 to September 2022. Patient age ranges from 5 to 72 years. The sample was taken by disposable cotton swabs. This swab was cultured on various culture media including CHROM agar and Sabouraud’s dextrose agar for isolation of C. albicans. After that genomic DNA was extracted from confirmed colony. Virulence genes (ALS1 and HWP1) were detected by polymerase chain reaction technique. Results: The result showed that out of 150 samples 25 (16.66%) belong to C. albicans isolated; also the result showed that ALS1 gene detected in a rate 15 (22.05%) while HWP1 detected in a rate 19 (27.94%). Conclusion: The Als1 and HWP1 virulence genes were expressed in most isolates of C. albicans which suggests that the ALS1 and HWP1 protein play an important role in the pathogenesis of infection.