Investigation of Presence of SAP3 Virulence Gene in Candida albicans Strains Isolated from Patients with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Background and Objective: Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) affect millions of women annually. Candida albicans is the most common cause of VVC. Secreted aspartyl proteinases (SAPs) are among the most important virulence factors in Candida species. The SAP3 enzyme is effective in the initial development of VVC infection due to its role in the adhesion of Candida albicans. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of SAP3 gene in Candida albicans strains isolated from patients with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, vaginal secretion samples were collected from 268 vaginitis patients referred to Amiralmomenin Hospital of Gerash city, Fars province, Iran from March to August 2018. After direct microscopic examination, all samples were cultured on sabouraud dextrose agar medium with chloramphenicol (50mg/L). Candida strains were identified using standard phenotypic and sugar assimilation tests (API20C). Genomic DNA extraction and the presence of SAP3 gene were performed using chloroform-phenol-isoamyl alcohol and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, respectively. Results: Out of 268 samples, 79 (29.47%) cases were positive for Candida species under direct microscopy and culture results. 48 (60.75%) and 31(39.24%) Candida albicans strains and Non-albicans candida species were isolated, respectively. The results of PCR showed the presence of SAP3 gene in 47 (97.91%) Candida albicans strains. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Candida albicans were more likely to cause Vulvovaginal than other Candida species. The explanation for this is the presence of the SAP3 gene in most Candida albicans strains.