Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Resistance and Virulence Markers in Candida spp. Isolated from Community-Acquired Infections in Bucharest, and the Impact of AgNPs on the Highly Resistant Isolates
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Published:2024-08-09
Issue:8
Volume:10
Page:563
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ISSN:2309-608X
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Container-title:Journal of Fungi
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language:en
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Short-container-title:JoF
Author:
Corbu Viorica Maria12ORCID, Georgescu Ana-Maria1, Marinas Ioana Cristina2ORCID, Pericleanu Radu1, Mogos Denisa Vasilica1, Dumbravă Andreea Ștefania12, Marinescu Liliana3, Pecete Ionut4, Vassu-Dimov Tatiana1, Czobor Barbu Ilda12, Csutak Ortansa12, Ficai Denisa35ORCID, Gheorghe-Barbu Irina12
Affiliation:
1. Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Intrarea Portocalelor No. 1-3, 060101 Bucharest, Romania 2. The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest (ICUB), 050095 Bucharest, Romania 3. Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, National University of Science and Technology Politechnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania 4. Central Reference Synevo-Medicover Laboratory, 021408 Bucharest, Romania 5. Academy of Romanian Scientists, 3 Ilfov Street, 050045 Bucharest, Romania
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to determine, at the phenotypic and molecular levels, resistance and virulence markers in Candida spp. isolated from community-acquired infections in Bucharest outpatients during 2021, and to demonstrate the efficiency of alternative solutions against them based on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Methods: A total of 62 Candida spp. strains were isolated from dermatomycoses and identified using chromogenic culture media and MALDI-TOF MS, and then investigated for their antimicrobial resistance and virulence markers (VMs), as well as for metabolic enzymes using enzymatic tests for the expression of soluble virulence factors, their biofilm formation and adherence capacity on HeLa cells, and PCR assays for the detection of virulence markers and the antimicrobial activity of alternative solutions based on AgNPs. Results: Of the total of 62 strains, 45.16% were Candida parapsilosis; 29.03% Candida albicans; 9.67% Candida guilliermondii; 3.22% Candida lusitaniae, Candia pararugosa, and Candida tropicalis; and 1.66% Candida kefyr, Candida famata, Candida haemulonii, and Candida metapsilosis. Aesculin hydrolysis, caseinase, and amylase production were detected in the analyzed strains. The strains exhibited different indices of adherence to HeLa cells and were positive in decreasing frequency order for the LIP1, HWP1, and ALS1,3 genes (C. tropicalis/C. albicans). An inhibitory effect on microbial growth, adherence capacity, and on the production of virulence factors was obtained using AgNPs. Conclusions: The obtained results in C. albicans and Candida non-albicans circulating in Bucharest outpatients were characterized by moderate-to-high potential to produce VMs, necessitating epidemiological surveillance measures to minimize the chances of severe invasive infections.
Funder
Romanian Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development, and Innovation
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