Phenotypic characterization of oropharyngeal candidiasis In patients admitted at Baghdad Hospitals | ||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 11 July 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.398359.2955 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Muhamed Abdulrahman Majeed1; Abdulameer Mohammed Jasim2; Omar Sadik Shalal* 3 | ||
| 1College of Health and Medical Techniques, Middle Technical University , Republic of Iraq | ||
| 2College of Health and Medical Techniques , Middle Technical University , Republic of Iraq | ||
| 3College of Health and Medical Techniques, Middle Technical University, Republic of Iraq | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: The rise in immunocompromised patients has increased the incidence of Candida infections, with growing antifungal resistance contributing to higher morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate antifungal susceptibility, biofilm formation, and the presence of the ERG11 virulence gene in Candida albicans isolated from oral samples in Baghdad. Methods: A total of 120 oral swabs were collected from patients aged 10–65 years with clinical signs of candidiasis. Biofilm formation was assessed using the crystal violet assay, ERG11 gene detection was performed via PCR, and antifungal susceptibility was evaluated using the disk diffusion method. Results: Candidiasis was more prevalent in males (11–20 years) and females under 10 years. C. albicans identification was supported by germ tube and CHROMagar methods. Biofilm formation increased after 72 hours, and a significant association was found between biofilm-forming isolates and the presence of the ERG11 gene (P = 0.863). High resistance rates were observed to fluconazole and itraconazole among biofilm-producing isolates. Conclusion: The study confirms a strong link between antifungal resistance, biofilm formation, and ERG11 gene prevalence in C. albicans, underscoring the clinical importance of monitoring virulence factors in candidiasis. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Candida albicans; Antibiotic susceptibility; Biofilm; ERG1 | ||
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