Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Candida albicans Isolates from Mexican Women with Vulvovaginitis

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an opportunistic mycosis that affects women of reproductive age. The most frequent etiological agent is <i>Candida albicans</i>. The development of VVC depends on factors related to the host and the fungus. Among the factors related to <i>Candida</i> spp. are virulence factors, but genotype may also be involved. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ABC genotypes and extracellular hydrolytic enzyme production in <i>C. albicans</i> isolates obtained from Mexican women with vulvovaginitis to determine if there is a correlation between these characteristics that allows the fungus to invade and cause damage to the host. Forty-three yeast isolates were obtained from vaginal exudates from women with symptoms of infection. The isolates were identified by germ tube tests and by Cand PCR. The ABC genotype of the isolates identified as <i>C. albicans</i> was determined through the isolates' DNA amplification using the oligonucleotides CA-INT-R and CA-INT-L. The activity of esterase, phospholipase, proteinase, and hemolysin was evaluated in specific culture media. The correlation between extracellular enzyme production and genotype was analyzed using a two-way ANOVA and the Sidak comparison test. A total of 57.5% of the yeast isolates were identified as <i>C. albicans</i>. The genotypes identified were A (82.6%) and B (17.4%). The activity of esterase, phospholipase, proteinase, and hemolysin was very strong. No statistically significant difference was found between enzyme production and genotypes. In conclusion, genotype A predominates among <i>C. albicans</i> vaginal isolates. The production of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes was widely expressed in <i>C. albicans</i> vaginal isolates, but no correlation with genotype was found.