Detection of Enzymatic Virulence Factors in Candida albicans and Candida glabrata Isolated from Diabetic Patients

Candiduria is among the most common infections in diabetic patients, and its incidence has increased markedly in recent decades. Candida spp. are frequently isolated from patients, with non-albicans species being increasingly recognized as important etiological agents. The current study aimed to diagnose Candida spp. isolated from the urine of diabetic women aged 16-72 years and evaluated their ability to produce phospholipase, hemolysin, and esterase enzymes. Statistical analysis of enzymatic activity was performed (P<0.01). Midstream urine samples were collected from 178 diabetic women, including 86 type 1 and 92 type 2 diabetes. Urine samples were cultured on Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar (SDA) and subsequently identified using conventional methods, including cultural characteristis Gram stainning germ tube formationchlamydospore production, growth at 45℃, and growth on HiCrome Candida Differential Agar M1297A. The present study showed that three different species of Candida were identified: 30 (50%) C. glabrata isolates, followed by 18 (36%) C. albicans isolates and 2 (4%) C. krusei isolates. Also, the results showed that type 1 diabetic patients are more susceptible to Candida infection. The virulence test revealed that all C. albicans isolates (100%) were positive for phospholipase, hemolysin, and esterase with different production rates. In terms of C. glabrata isolates, one isolate only (3.3%) produced phospholipase, while all isolates (100%) produced hemolysin, and four isolates (13.3%) produced esterase.