A comparative study on the production of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes of and non- species isolated from HIV/AIDS patients and healthy individuals.

Background And Purpose: Oropharyngeal candidiasis is the most prevalent opportunistic fungal infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well as other immunodeficiency disorders, which is caused by various species, mostly . Studies have shown that isolates differ in their pathogenicity. These variations are attributed to virulence factors, host characteristics, and the target tissue. This study aimed to determine and compare the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes in and non- species isolated from HIV/AIDS patients and healthy individuals.

Materials And Methods: Samples were taken from 201 patients with HIV and 118 healthy individuals. The samples were identified by macroscopic, phenotypic, and molecular methods, and virulence factors were subsequently measured. Statistical differences in enzymatic activity of various isolates were calculated (<0.0001).

Results: In total, 95 samples (47.20%) from patients and 46 samples (38.90%) from healthy individuals were positive for the growth of different Candida species. There were 39 (41.10%) and 36 (78.30%) in patients and healthy individuals, respectively, as well as 56 (58.90%) and 10 (21.70%) non- species in patients and healthy subjects, respectively. All the enzymes produced by species enzymes were at low, medium, and high levels. Hemolysin activity in species isolated from patients was significantly higher, compared to healthy individuals. Moreover, the activity of all enzymes in patients was significantly higher than other species.

Conclusion: The isolated from HIV-positive individuals secreted higher amounts of exoenzymes, and can cause oropharyngeal candidiasis and become a source of candidiasis for the host.