1.Genetic diversity, antifungal susceptibility and enzymatic characterisation of Malaysian clinical isolates of Candida glabrata
Lotfalikhani, A. ; Khosravi, Y. ; Sabet, N.S. ; Na, S.L. ; Ng, K.P ; Tay, S.T.
Tropical Biomedicine 2018;35(4):1123-1130
Candida glabrata has been reported as the second or third most common yeast
species isolated from patients with vaginitis and invasive candidiasis. This study was aimed
to determine the genetic diversity, antifungal susceptibility and enzymatic profiles of C.
glabrata isolated from vaginal and blood samples in the Medical Microbiology Diagnostic
Laboratory, University Malaya Medical Centre. A random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)
analysis method, using M13 and (GTG)5 primers, was used for strain differentiation of C.
glabrata isolates. Antifungal susceptibility testing of C. glabrata isolates was determined
using E-test against amphotericin B, caspofungin, fluconazole and voriconazole and microbroth
dilution method against clotrimazole. The enzymic profiles of C. glabrata were determined
using APIZYM semi-quantitation kit and egg-yolk agar method. A total of 14 RAPD patterns
were identified amongst C. glabrata isolates investigated this study. Susceptibility to
amphotericin B, caspofungin, fluconazole and voriconazole was noted. Approximately one
third of the isolates demonstrated resistance to clotrimazole (MIC>1 μg/ml). A single isolate
of C. glabrata was resistant to caspofungin (MIC:1.5 μg/ml). Enzymatic activities of acid and
alkaline phosphatase, aminopeptidases, esterase and lipase and phospholipase were detected
in the C. glabrata isolates. The genetic diversity and antifungal susceptibility profiles of C.
glabrata isolates were presented in this study. Continued surveillance and monitoring of the
incidence and antifungal resistance in C. glabrata isolates is necessary.