Isolation and Identification of Candida tropicalis as a Cause of Cutaneous Candidiasis in Kalar District, Iraq

Fungal infections are currently causing health issues all over the world, among which are Candida species that cause cutaneous infection. Numerous dermatological studies concentrated on a single species. However, the virulence factors and the spread of specific candidiasis in specific areas have remained poorly understood. Therefore, the current study was designed to shed light on Candida tropicalis, which has been identified as the most prevalent yeast among Candida non-albicans species. Forty specimens were collected from patients with cutaneous fungal infection (۲۵ females and ۱۵ males) and underwent examination. According to conventional identification based on macroscopic and microscopic examinations, eight isolates were identified as C. tropicalis from Candida non-albicans. Molecular diagnosis for internal transcribed spacers (ITS۱ and ITS۴) using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) yielded an amplicon of ۵۲۰ bp for all isolates. Further investigation of PCR-restriction fragment length using Mitochondrial sorting protein; Msp۱ enzyme revealed two bands of ۳۴۰ and ۱۸۰ bp. The ITS gene sequence in one isolated species was found to be ۹۸% identical to C. tropicalis strain MYA-۳۴۰۴ chromosome R ATCC CP۰۴۷۸۷۵.۱. Another isolate shared ۹۸.۰۲% identity with C. tropicalis strain MA۶ ۱۸S ribosomal RNA gene DQ۶۶۶۱۸۸.۱, indicating C. tropical species identity, implying that non-Candida species should be considered when diagnosing candidiasis. This study demonstrated the significance of Candida non-albicans, particularly C. tropicalis, in terms of pathogenic potential, the ability to cause potentially fatal systemic infections and candidiasis, and acquired flucozonal resistance with a high mortality rate.

Keywords:

Candidiasis , Candida tropicalis , ITS , PCR-RFLP