Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Candida parapsilosis complex species differ from each other with regard to their prevalence and virulence.
METHODS:
The hydrolytic enzyme activity, biofilm production, and adhesion to epithelial cells were analyzed in 87 C. parapsilosis complex strains.
RESULTS:
Among the studied isolates, 97.7%, 63.2%, and 82.8% exhibited very strong proteinase, esterase, and hemolysin activity, respectively. All the C. parapsilosis complex isolates produced biofilms and presented an average adherence of 96.0 yeasts/100 epithelial cells.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our results show that Candida parapsilosis complex isolates showed different levels of enzyme activity, biofilm production, and adhesion to epithelial cells.
Keywords:
Candida parapsilosis; Virulence factors; Biofilms; Cell adhesion; Hydrolytic enzymes
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