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DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET

Molecular Characterization and Biofilm Formation of Candida Species Isolated from Immunosuppressed HIV Seropositive Individuals in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria

Ukam Uno-Ubarei Uno Ph.D.Department of Biology, School of Secondary Education Science Programmes, Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa-NigeriaUpla Daniel AmgbojiDepartment of Biology, School of Secondary Education Science Programmes, Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa-NigeriaOkoli Mark OhieroDepartment of Biology, School of Secondary Education Science Programmes, Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa-NigeriaOkena Ndum DominicDepartment of Biology, School of Secondary Education Science Programmes, Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa-Nigeria

Vol 7 No 9 (2023): Volume 7, Issue 9, September 2023 | Pages: 1-10

International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology

OPEN ACCESS | Research Article | Published Date: 11-09-2023

doi Logo doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2023.709001

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Abstract

Immunocompromised status of host creates an enabling environment for candida biofilm forming organisms to strive. The study aims to speciate clinical isolates from immunosuppressed subjects, detects their biofilm forming ability and antifungal resistance. This study was a cross sectional prospective study which ran for a period of 8months from January, 2023 to August, 2023. Isolates used in this study were isolated from sputum and urine samples. Biofilm production was tested by the Congo Red Agar method and Microtitre Plate Method. Antifungal susceptibility was studied using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique was used to detect internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene. A total of 200 consenting subjects were enrolled for the study. Candidiasis was significantly more prevalent among females than males (P=0.015*). Out of 40 candida isolates tested for biofilm formation 21(52.5%) formed biofilm. Candida albicans was the most encountered species 16(40%) among subjects and 11(52.4%) of Candida albicans produced biofilm. There was a statistically significant association between Candida infection and the rate of biofilm production (P=0.016*). The degree of biofilm formation by Candida isolates significantly correlates negatively with host immune status (r = -0.309, p = 0.001*). Twenty (20) Candida isolates were randomly selected and examined for Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) gene sequence, Candida albicans had the highest expression of the ITS genes of 11(55%) followed by C. tropicalis with 5(25%). The antifungal agents tested were amphotericin B, fluconazole, nystatin, itraconazole and voriconazole. The range of susceptibility of the isolates to antifungal agents was 10-90%. Isolates of C. dubliniensis were more susceptible to fluconazole (90%) followed by voricanozole (65%). C. glabrata was notable for multidrug resistance to antifungal agents tested. C. rugosa and C. akabanensis are emerging Candida pathogens in the area mis-identified by conventional methods.

Keywords

Biofilms production, Candida species Antifungal resistance, Immunosuppression


Citation of this Article

Ukam Uno-Ubarei Uno Ph.D., Upla Daniel Amgboji, Okoli Mark Ohiero, Okena Ndum Dominic, “Molecular Characterization and Biofilm Formation of Candida Species Isolated from Immunosuppressed HIV Seropositive Individuals in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria” Published in International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology - IRJIET, Volume 7, Issue 9, pp 1-10, September 2023. Article DOI https://doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2023.709001

Licence Copyright (c) 2026 International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology creative common licence This work is licensed under Creative common Attribution Non Commercial 4.0 Internation Licence
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