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Detection of extracellular phospholipase activity inCandida albicans andRhodotorula rubra
Authors:Peter Mayser  Silke Laabs  Kai-Uwe Heuer  Karl Gründer
Institution:(1) Department of Dermatology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, D-35385 Giessen, Germany;(2) Department of Internal Medicine, Justus Liebig University Gidessen, D-35385 Giessen, Germany
Abstract:Phospholipases are important pathogenicity determinants inCandida albicans. They play a significant role in damaging cell membranes and invading host cells. High phospholipase production is correlated with an increased ability of adherence and a higher mortality rate in animal models. By means of an egg yolk-containing agar and thePz (= phospholipase activity zone) value according to Price, the present study investigated phospholipase production in 170 strains ofC. albicans. At an incubation temperature of 37 °C,Pz values ranged from 0.395 to 1; no clear relationship was found between clinical origin of the isolates and severity of the disease. In addition toC. albicans, a total of 110 strains of 16 other yeast species were investigated for possible phospholipase production. Only yeasts of the speciesRhodotorula rubra showed phospholipase activity, with mean values exceeding those observed inC. albicans. This result was confirmed by an assay using sterile culture filtrates and phosphatidyl-3H-methyl]-choline-dipalmitoyl as a substrate. SinceRh. rubra has only rarely been demonstrated as a pathogen in humans, we believe that factors such as reduced growth at 37 °C, absence of dimorphism and low ability of adherence lessen the importance of high phospholipase activity inRh.rubra as a pathogenicity determinant. Therefore, potential virulence factors should always be considered in the context of the whole spectrum of pathogenic determinants.
Keywords:Candida albicans  phospholipases  Rhodotorula rubra  virulence factor
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