Relation of ALS 1 and ALS3 genes and fluconazole resistance in Candida albicans isolated from vaginal candidiasis

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungi that is able to thrive in many host niches, including the skin, mucosal, surfaces, the blood stream and internal organs. Agglutinin-like sequence (ALS) genes which could play a role in forming biofilms, adherence to host surfaces as a virulence factor and antifungal drug resistant. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the presence ALS1 and ALS3 genes in clinical strains of C.albicans isolated from women with vaginal candidiasis symptom. Vaginal swabs were collected from patients suffering from vaginal candidiasis and admitted to health care centers (Tehran, Iran) from June 2011 until June 2012 and cultured on Sabaouraud Dextros Agar for 48 hours. A PCR-RFLP was used with MspI restriction enzyme for identification of Candida albicans. Susceptibility testing of 53 clinical isolates of C.albicans isolates was done against Fluconazole by using disk diffusion method. Total DNA was extracted from C.albicans isolates and PCR assay was used to evaluate the presence of ALS1, ALS3 and internal control (ACT1) genes. 53 clinical isolates out of 100 were identified as C.albicans by using PCR-RFLP. Three (5.7%) of them were susceptible and 50 (94.3%) were resistant to fluconazole. 44 patients (83%) with vaginal candidiasis were positive for ALS1 gene and 48 ones (90.5%) were positive for ALS3. According our finding, a significant correlation was seen between the presence of ALS1 and ALS3 genes and fluconazole resistance in C.albicans isolates.