[Distribution of serotypes A and B of Candida albicans in 502 strains isolated from pathological specimens].

BACKGROUND

Candida albicans is distributed in at least two serological groups (A and B) depending on its antigenic structure. These characteristics have been used to investigate the epidemiology of candidiasis. No information is available in this country about the distribution of these serotypes in a general population of patients with candidiasis of different localizations. The aim of the present study was to correlate the frequency of C. albicans serotypes with the origin of the clinical samples.

METHODS

In 502 strains of C. albicans isolated from pathological products, serotype was evaluated by means of a latex agglutination test with polyclonal monovalent antisera. A statistical analysis was carried out to investigate whether there was any relationship between the serotype frequency and the origin of the strains.

RESULTS

The serotype A of C. albicans represented 78% of all isolates. However, there was a significantly higher relative frequency of serotype B in vaginal and oropharyngeal samples. No differences were found in isolates from AIDS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The serotyping method should be considered a contribution, even if limited, to the knowledge of the epidemiology of Candida albicans infections.