Transfer of antifungal resistance genes of Candida albicans strains isolated from clinical samples

Candida albicans is the normal flora member of skin and mucosal membrans of human. This organism has a changing spectrum of diseases which is ranging from non-invasive superficial infections to invasive deep tissues infections. The use of broad-spectrum antifungal drugs such as fluconazole both for the treatment and for the prophylaxsis of the infections caused by this organism has led to the emergence of resistant strains. The development of antifungal drug resistance is the result of changing intracellular targets.In this study, the transformation of efflux pump genes between the clinical isolates of Candida albicans was performed. Isolates were selected from the culture collection of Gazi University, School of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology. Efflux pump genes isolated from resistant strains were detected by PZR method. Plasmids predicted to be carring resistance genes isolated from resistant strains and transferred into susceptible genomes. Resistance genes also detected in previously susceptible strains by PZR after transformation step.It was concluded that antifungal resistance genes might be transferred on mobile genetic elements of fungi.