[Opportunistic yeast infections and enzymatic profile of the etiological agents].
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| Abstract |
Yeast infections are common in immunocompromised patients, although emerging species have been changing the epidemiological profile. The ability to secrete proteinases has been associated with pathogenicity within the genus Candida. This study had the aims of diagnosing yeast infections in immunocompromised patients and evaluating the virulence of the etiological agents, based on a proteinase secretion assay using bovine serum albumin as a substrate. Out of a total of 104 patients studied, 19 presented episodes of yeast infection. The respiratory tract (63.2%), followed by the urinary tract (10.5%), were the most common sites of infection. Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis and emerging species such as Candida krusei and Candida guilliermondii were isolated. Five isolates of Candida parapsilosis and one of Candida albicans and Candida guilliermondii exhibited high enzymatic activity. We conclude that enzymatic characterization of Candida isolates may be a useful prognostic marker, especially among immunocompromised individuals, since yeast infections in such patients are generally serious.
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| Authors | Danielle Patrícia Cerqueira Macêdo, Aline Mary de Almeida Farias, Reginaldo Gonçalves de Lima Neto, Vanessa Karina Alves da Silva, André Ferraz Goiana Leal, Rejane Pereira Neves |
| Journal | Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (Rev Soc Bras Med Trop) 2009 Mar-Apr Vol. 42 Issue 2 Pg. 188-91 ISSN: 1678-9849 [Electronic] Brazil |
| Vernacular Title | Infecções oportunistas por leveduras e perfil enzimático dos agentes etiológicos. |
| PMID | 19448940 (Publication Type: Journal Article) |
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