Proteinase and Phospholipase as Virulence Determinants of Candida Isolates from Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders

are hardly any studies from OPMD to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) isolates. [8][9]][10] Hence, the present study was aimed to screen for proteinase and phospholipase activity in Candida isolates from OSCC to OPMD. IntroductIonCandida species can occur as a colonizer on many mucosal surfaces with the ability for systemic infections under favorable conditions.Due to its ability to occur as a commensal in the oral mucosa, its prevalence in healthy individuals has been reported to range from 20 to 70%. 1 Candida infection in the oral cavity is very common in people with suppressed immunity or in individuals with prosthetic implants. 2In recent years, Candida spp.have been linked with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) like leukoplakia, lichen planus, and erythroplakia, with an increased tendency to undergo malignant transformation. 3Oral malignancies account for 3% of all human cancers, and of those, 80% are squamous cell carcinoma. 4lthough malignancies in the oral cavity have multiple etiologies, such as cigarette smoking, tobacco chewing, etc.Studies have shown that lesions infected with Candida species have a higher chance of transformation into malignant conditions than uninfected ones. 5arlier studies have explained the role of nitrosamines or acetaldehyde production by Candida as having a potential role in carcinogenesis. 6The tendency of Candida to produce disease is due to the production of certain virulence factors, such as hydrolytic enzymes, proteinases, phospholipases, and esterases, in addition to biofilm formation, which allows Candida to persist at sites, evading host defense mechanisms. 7 Though multiple studies have focused on virulence factors like proteinase and phospholipase of Candida species from systemic infections, there