SAP Expression in Candida albicans Strains Isolated from Mexican Patients with Vaginal Candidosis

To determine the frequency and expression of the ten SAP (secreted aspartyl protease) genes in a group of Candida albicans strains isolated from Mexican women suffering from vaginal candidosis, a group of 264 women (age 18 - 57 years) with vaginal infections, predisposed by diabetes mellitus or contraceptive consumption, were evaluated. C. albicans was identified using PCR to amplify the rRNA internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2. The presence of the SAP genes was determined using conventional PCR, and their expression levels were determined using real-time PCR after the C. albicans strains had been grown in reconstituted human vaginal epithelium (RHVE). C. albicans was identified in the samples from 50 women (18.9%). The genotyping frequencies of the SAP genes were as follows: SAP1, 94%; SAP2, 98%; SAP3, 80%; SAP4, 100%; SAP5, 100%; SAP6, 100%; SAP7, 63%; SAP8, 96%; SAP9, 70%; and SAP10, 88%. The most frequently expressed genes in the strains harboring all of the genes were SAP1, 90%; SAP2, 90%; SAP3, 90%; SAP4, 100%; SAP5, 90%; SAP6, 90%; SAP7, 100%; SAP8, 90%; SAP9, 100%; and SAP10, 100%. SAP genes were expressed in the RHVE, suggesting that the Sap proteins play an important role in the pathogenesis of infection.