Isolation of Clinical Fungal Pathogens from Children with Autism and Use of Lectin Extracted from Lentinula edodes as a Natural Antifungal Agent

Background: Fungal isolates were collected from children with autism at an autism center in Baghdad. Candida species were identified using microscopic and cultural examinations, as well as the VITEK 2 Compact system, to detect the virulence factors of Candida. Methods: A total of 75 samples were collected, of which 22 were not infected, while the others showed infection. Lectin was extracted from edible mushrooms using ion exchange chromatography for use as an antifungal agent. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and sub-MIC concentrations were determined against Candida isolates. Results: The yeast isolates showed varying degrees of susceptibility to lectin, ranging from 8 µg/mL to 256 µg/mL, demonstrating the lectin’s effectiveness against antifungal-resistant strains. Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes)-derived lectin exhibited strain-dependent antibiofilm activity against clinical Candida isolates, with inhibition rates ranging from 13.4% to 22.7%. Conclusion: The purified lectin from shiitake mushrooms shows promise as a viable substitute for traditional antifungal medications, offering both antifungal and antibiofilm activities against Candida species.