Mahmoud Hassan Shahryari, Roudabeh Behzadi Andouhjerdi, Mehrnoosh Hasan Shahriari,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (3-2024)
Abstract
Introduction: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a prevalent and often recurrent condition affecting an estimated 75% of women worldwide. Candida albicans is a primary fungal pathogen responsible for a significant proportion of VVC cases. This cross-sectional study investigated the expression levels of two critical virulence genes, ALS1 and HWP1, in C. albicans isolates from women diagnosed with VVC. Moreover, we examined the effect of copper nanoparticles on the expression of these genes, exploring their potential as a novel antifungal therapy for VVC treatment. Methods: This study recruited 30 patients diagnosed with VVC from Razi Hospital, Iran. We employed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to confirm the presence of the ALS1 and HWP1 genes in C. albicans isolates. Subsequently, we extracted RNA from the isolates and assessed the effect of copper nanoparticles on the expression of ALS1 and HWP1 genes using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: Of the 30 C. albicans clinical isolates analyzed, 17 (56.7%) harbored both HWP1 and ALS1 virulence genes. Copper nanoparticles significantly downregulated the expression of these genes. Notably, treatment with 8.8 μg/mL copper nanoparticles resulted in a significant reduction of HWP1 gene expression, while 3.23 μg/mL copper nanoparticles led to a significant decrease in ALS1 gene expression. Conclusion: This study identified the presence of ALS1 and HWP1 virulence genes in C. albicans isolates from women with VVC and demonstrated the potential of copper nanoparticles to downregulate their expression. These findings offer promising insights into the development of novel antifungal therapies for VVC treatment. However, further investigations with larger, more diverse cohorts and comprehensive analyses are necessary to fully understand the effects of copper nanoparticles on C. albicans gene expression and their potential clinical applications for VVC management.
