Abstract
Purpose
Fungi are an important cause of human infection and include infections caused by Candida species. Vaginal candidiasis is a mycosis caused by several species of the genus Candida. In Mexico, it is considered the only mycosis that must be reported to health authorities. The participation and/or contribution of Candida ALS genes to the presence of cervical cytological alterations is currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the frequency of Candida ALS genes and their association with clinical characteristics.
Methods
The number of randomly selected samples was 697, of which 53 were Candida positive. Samples were selected from women attending gynaecological outpatient clinics for cervical cancer screening at Hospital Juarez de Mexico. These strains were identified, and genomic DNA was obtained from each isolate. Molecular assays were performed by endpoint PCR amplification of ALS genes.
Results
The predominant Candida species identified in the study were Candida tropicalis and Candida albicans. ALS1 12 (22.6 %) and ALS3 19 (35.8 %) genes were found. ALS2, ALS4, ALS5, ALS6, ALS7, and ALS9 genes were not detected. ALS1 was the gene that was associated with patients using corticosteroids.
Conclusions
Vulvovaginitis remains one of the most prevalent conditions in patients in their 20s and 30s, and it is a real public health problem. Further studies are needed to determine the direct involvement of the identified ALS genes in the pathogen's ability to adhere and how it causes transient change in vaginal cytology.