COMPARISON OF TWO METHODS OR DETECTION OF SECRETED ASPARTYL PROTEINASE IN URINARY ISOLATES OF CANDIDA SPECIES

Context: Secreted aspartyl proteinase (SAP) is considered to be an important virulence factor in the Candida species. Its production in candidiuria patients is not well studied. Recently there has been increased incidence of urinary tract infection due to Candida species. Aim: In our study, we have compared the performance of two media for detection of secreted aspartyl proteinase i.e. bovine serum agar (BSA) and bovine haemoglobin agar BHA). Methods and Material: From January 2009 to January 2010 a total of 150 urine samples, which were positive for budding yeast cells on gram stain, were included in the study. Bovine serum albumins (Himedia), bovine hemoglobin agar (Himedia) are used as a sole source of nitrogen. Bovine haemoglobin agar and Bovine serum albumin is prepared. Yeast cells freshly grown on saborouds dextrose agar for 48 hours were used for inoculation. After inoculation on both BSA and BHA, they are incubated for 7 days at 370 C. But zone of clarification is looked for every 2, 4, 6 and 7 day and noted diameter of clarification. Results: Out of 150 candida species isolated from clinical urine samples 86.6% were C. tropicalis, followed by C. albicans (11.3%), C. glabrata (1.33%) and C. dubliniensis (0.6%). SAP detection using Bovine serum agar was 29.3% where as using bovine haemoglobin agar was 18.6%. Conclusions: So we conclude that the bovine serum agar is far superior to bovine haemoglobin agar for detection of SAP.