mahnaz fatahinia

Candidiasis is a common opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS patients caused by different Candida species. The aim of this study was to do molecular identification and determine the antifungal susceptibility profile of Candida species, isolated from the mouths of AIDS patients by the disk diffusion method.

This study included 50 samples collected from the oral cavity of 50 AIDS patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in Ahvaz City. After microscopic and macroscopic identification, these samples were finally identified by PCR RFLP method. For these 50 isolates, antifungal susceptibility testing was performed by the disk diffusion method, based on CLSI-M44-A standard protocol.

In this study, among 50 samples collected from the oral cavity of AIDS patients, we found Candida albicans in 36% (18), Candida glabrata in 30% (15), Candida tropicalis in 26% (13), Candida krusei in 6% (3) and Candida parapsilosis in 2 % (1) of the cases. Our results showed that clotrimazole, amphotericin B, ketoconazole, voriconazole and itraconazole had the highest antifungal effect on Candida species, respectively. While fluconazole showed less antifungal activity compared to the other antifungal drugs.

Considering the better antifungal activity of voriconazole and itraconazole compared to fluconazole and the increasing resistance to fluconazole, which is the main antifungal used in the treatment of AIDS patients with OPC, itraconazole and voriconazole can be used as alternative oral antifungal drugs in the treatment of these patients.

Candida species are a leading cause of fungal infections worldwide. Candidiasis, the disease caused by Candida , represents a significant public health concern globally. Candida albicans is the most common causative agent, responsible for 50 - 90% of invasive candidiasis cases. Candida albicans employs various virulence factors to adhere to, invade host tissues, and cause disease.

This study aimed to detect and compare the virulence factors of C. albicans , including hydrophobicity, biofilm formation, ergosterol content, and secretory enzymes, in clinical and environmental samples.

A total of 105 clinical and 165 environmental samples suspected of containing C. albicans were collected from Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran. The isolates were evaluated for five potential virulence factors: Ergosterol content, cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), biofilm formation, protease activity, and phospholipase activity.

Sixty C. albicans isolates were identified, consisting of 30 clinical and 30 environmental isolates. Biofilm production was observed in 100% of clinical isolates and 80% of environmental isolates (P < 0.001). Protease activity was detected in 66.6% of clinical isolates and 76.7% of environmental isolates (P = 0.008). Phospholipase activity was present in 60% of clinical isolates and 76.7% of environmental isolates (P = 0.262). Clinical isolates exhibited higher CSH (66.4 ± 9.8) compared to environmental isolates (47.7 ± 17.0) (P < 0.001). The ergosterol content was 1.2 ± 0.5 in clinical isolates and 1.1 ± 0.3 in environmental isolates.

Biofilm formation was a consistent characteristic of clinical isolates, while phospholipase and protease activity were more prevalent in environmental C. albicans isolates. The results suggest possible cross-contamination between patients and the environment, as the virulence factors of clinical and environmental isolates were similar.

 Coronavirus-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is defined as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) occurring in patients with COVID-19 infection.

 This study aimed to identify CAPA patients and describe their clinical-epidemiological characteristics in Ahvaz, Iran, from the third to the fifth COVID-19 waves.

 The serum galactomannan (GM) antigen assay was used to detect CAPA in 257 COVID-19 hospitalized patients according to the EORTC/MSGERC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the Mycoses Study Group Education and Research Consortium) 2020 criteria. The demographic and clinical data, host risk factors, lung radiographic imaging, laboratory findings, antifungal agents used, and the outcomes of the patients were extracted in cases that were available. All findings were statistically analyzed.

 Of the 257 patients, 114 (44.35%) were positive for GM levels (CAPA cases). The demographic and clinical information of 51 cases showed that diabetes mellitus (25.5%) was the most common underlying condition, followed by oropharyngeal candidiasis (22%) and hypertension (21.6%). In both surviving and deceased patients, the frequency of CAPA in older ages was statistically significant (r = 0.519; P < 0.0001). In surviving individuals, GM had a significant relationship with age (r = 0.520; P = 0.032), blood glucose (BS; r = 0.497; P = 0.043), diagnosis of hyperglycemia during hospitalization (P = 0.039), and diabetes mellitus (P = 0.039). In deceased patients, the frequency of CAPA in older ages was statistically significant (r = 0.503; P = 0.002). Galactomannan had a significant association with the variables of age (r = 0.503; P = 0.002) and suspicion of fungal infection (P = 0.003).

 The prevalence of CAPA was high in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, and old age are the main factors that predispose COVID-19 patients to IPA.

Since common drug therapies cannot eradicate Candida biofilm, extensive studies are required to develop more effective antifungal compounds and identify their mechanism of action against Candida biofilm. Peganum harmala L. is a traditional medicinal plant, the seeds of which have been used to treat various diseases.

This study aimed to investigate the anti-biofilm mechanisms of P. harmala extract (PHE) and the expression of CAT1, EFG1, and BCR1 genes involved in oxidative stress response and biofilm formation in Candida albicans.

Anti-biofilm activity of PHE was evaluated by crystal violet assay to determine biofilm formation on 33 C. albicans isolates. Finally, a real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze the effect of PHE on the expression of CAT1, EFG1, and BCR1 genes in C. albicans.

This study determined the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of 15 isolates in concentrations between 0.49 - 3.9g/mL of P. harmala extract. Statistical analysis showed that the exposure of C. albicans biofilm to PHE significantly reduced the expression of CAT1 mRNA in C. albicans isolates (P = 0.0068). However, no significant difference was observed in the expression of EFG1 and BCR1 genes.

The results demonstrated that PHE significantly decreased CAT1 expression in C. albicans cells treated with the herbal extract. PHE is likely to accumulate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by reducing CAT1 expression and disrupting the prooxidant/ antioxidant balance that leads to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and can cause damage to cellular components and eventually destroy C. albicans biofilm.

Oropharyngeal candidiasis is the most prevalent opportunistic fungal infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well as other immunodeficiency disorders, which is caused by various Candida species,mostly Candida albicans. Studies have shown that Candida isolates differ in their pathogenicity. These variations are attributed to virulence factors, host characteristics, and the target tissue. This study aimed to determine and compare the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes in C. albicans and non-albicans Candida species isolated from HIV+/AIDS patients and healthy individuals.

Samples were taken from 201 patients with HIV and 118 healthy individuals. The samples were identified by macroscopic, phenotypic, and molecular methods, and virulence factors were subsequently measured. Statistical differences in enzymatic activity of various Candida isolates were calculated (P<0.0001).

In total, 95 samples (47.20%) from patients and 46 samples (38.90%) from healthy individuals were positive for the growth of different Candida species. There were 39 (41.10%) and 36 (78.30%) C. albicans in patients and healthy individuals, respectively, as well as 56 (58.90%) and 10 (21.70%) non-albicans species in patients and healthy subjects, respectively. All the enzymes produced by Candida species enzymes were at low, medium, and high levels. Hemolysin activity in Candida species isolated from patients was significantly higher, compared to healthy individuals.Moreover, the activity of all C. albicans enzymes in patients was significantly higherthan other Candida species.

The C. albicans isolated from HIV-positive individuals secreted higheramounts of exoenzymes, and can cause oropharyngeal candidiasis and become a sourceof candidiasis for the host.

 Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast pathogen with worldwide distribution, and the highest incidence of cryptococcosis was attributed to C. neoformans (var. grubii. The pathogenicity of Cryptococcus species is associated with several factors, including capsule and melanin production, growth at 37 ºC, and secretion of extracellular enzymes.

 The present study aimed to isolate and identify Cryptococcus species from pigeon guano in Ahvaz, Iran and investigate important virulence factors in the isolates.

 Seventy-three isolates of C. neoformans var. grubii were identified based on classical and molecular microbiology methods. Capsule size was measured by the grow yeasts in the presence of 5% CO2. Specific media demonstrated the activity of extracellular enzymes (phospholipase, hemolysin, proteinase, esterase, urease, catalase, and gelatinase). Besides, melanin production was evaluated by the niger seed agar medium.

 Two hundred and seventeen samples were examined for the presence of Cryptococcus over 165 days in Ahvaz. All tested isolates were contained capsules with variable sizes under 5% CO2 concentration. Moreover, 100% of isolates were produced extracellular enzymes (urease, hemolysin, and catalase), whereas no proteinase and gelatinase activities were observed among isolates. Furthermore, most isolates had phospholipase (93.1%) and esterase activities (86.3%). Also, melanin was produced by all of the isolates.

 Although two methods were used for recovery of Cryptococcus, only Cryptococcus was isolated from pigeon guano, and swabs from the cage walls were negative. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii was the only species from pigeon droppings from Ahvaz with more pathogenic factors. Owing to the high pathogenicity of the isolates, the frequency of the disease is expected to be higher.

Oral candidiasis is a common disease in cancer patients subject to chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors of rising oral candidiasis incidence and to identify the Candida species isolated from oral lesions of cancer patients and their antifungal sensitivity.

A total of 645 patients with cancer were examined. Several Candida species were isolated from specimens and identified by morphological and molecular methods. The susceptibility of isolates to amphotericin B, fluconazole, and nystatin was also investigated.

A total of 74 isolates of Candida were recovered from oral cavity of 61 cancer patients with oral candidiasis. The isolates included Candida albicans (n = 56; 75.5%), Candida glabrata (n = 4; 5.4%), Candida krusei (n = 5; 7%), Candida tropical (n = 7; 9.4%), and Candida kefyr (n = 2; 2.7%). A total (n = 72; 98.65%) of isolates were susceptible to nystatin, (n = 58; 78.4%) of them were susceptible to fluconazole, and (n = 8; 10.8%) of susceptible dose-dependent isolates were specified, (n = 46; 62.16%) of isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B.

Finally, in addition to emphasis on topical nystatin application in the first stage of oral candidiasis in these patients, using alternative systemic drugs such as fluconazole and amphotericin B can be considered for the resistant candida isolates to nystatin.

Candida glabrata is the second cause of candidiasis. The mortality rate of C. glabrata infections is about 40%; accordingly, it may be life threatening, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Regarding this, the current study was conducted to evaluate the regional patterns of the antifungal susceptibility of clinical C. glabrata isolated from the patients referring to the health centers located in Ahvaz, Iran.

In this study, a total of 30 clinical strains of C. glabrata isolates were recovered from different body sites (i.e., vagina, mouth, and urine). Phenotypic characteristics and molecular methods were used to identify the isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing.

Our findings demonstrated that 20%, 80%, and 6.7% of the isolates were resistant to amphotericin B, terbinafine, and posaconazole, respectively, while all the isolates were found to be fluconazole susceptible dose dependent and susceptible to voriconazole and caspofungin.

Our study suggested that voriconazole had high potency against C. glabrata isolates. Consequently, this antifungal agent can be an alternative drug in the treatment of resistant patients. These results can be helpful for the successful treatment of patients in different regions.

Black Aspergillus strains including, Aspergillus niger and A. tubingensis, are the most cause of otomycosis with worldwide distribution. Although, amphotericin B was a Gold standard for the treatment of invasive fungal infection for several decades, it gradually replaced by fluconazole and /or voriconazole. Moreover, luliconazole, appears to offer the best potential for in vitro activity against black Aspergillus strains. The aim of the present study was to compare the in vitro activity luliconazole, with commonly used antifungals against clinical and environmental strains of black Aspergillus.

Sixty seven (37 clinical and 30 environmental) strains of black Aspergillus were identified using morphological and molecular technique (β-Tubulin gene). In addition, antifungal susceptibility test was applied according to CLSI M38 A2. The results were reported as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) or minimum effective concentration (MEC) range, MIC50 or MEC50, MIC90 or MEC90 and MIC geometric (GM) or MECGM.

Aspergillus niger was the common isolate followed by, A. tubingensis in both clinical and environmental strains. The lowest MIC range, MIC50, MIC90, and MICGM was attributed to luliconazole in clinical strains. The highest resistant rate was found in amphotericin B for both clinical (86.5%) and environmental (96.7%) strains whereas 54.1% of clinical and 30% of environmental isolates were resistant to caspofungin. Clinical strains of Aspergillus were more sensitive to voriconazole (86.7%) than environmental strains (70.3%). On the other hand, 83.8% of clinical and 70% of environmental isolates were resistant to posaconazole. 

Luliconazole versus amphotericin B, voriconazole, posaconazole and caspofungin is a potent antifungal for Aspergillus Nigri complex. The in vitro extremely antifungal efficacy against black Aspergillus strains of luliconazole, is different from those of other used antifungals.

The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of three medicinal plant extracts on fungi with three methods and to compare methods.

This study examined the antifungal properties of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and Nafe Venus (Umbilicus intermedius boiss) extracts against fungi including, Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Mucor spp., Stemphylium spp., Drechslera spp., Alternaria spp., Cladosporium spp., and Aureobasidium pullulans. Furthermore, 17 candida isolates including, C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. dubliniensis were tested. In the present study two methods of disc diffusion method, agar wells diffusion method were used for assay. Then, the mixing with culture medium method was used for assessment of the antifungal activity of extracts against Alternaria sp.(as black mold), A. terreus (as hyaline mold) and C. albicans (as yeast) to compare methods as well.

No fungi were susceptible to extracts in disc diffusion method and agar wells diffusion method. But, this study showed that in mixing with culture medium method, cumin extract has valuable anti-fungal property and Umbilicus intermedius boiss has the inhibitory properties against the black fungi. Furthermore, it is found that mixing with culture medium method is more efficient than disc and agar well diffusion methods. Alternaria sp. and C. albicans were susceptible and resistant to all extracts.

it is found that mixing with culture medium method is more efficient than disc and agar well diffusion methods and inhibitory potency of the extracts varies according to the type of extraction and their concentration.

Candida yeast is a normal flora of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. Various enzymes secreted by Candida species play the role of virulence factors in different Candida infections including in cancer patients. This study aimed at comparing phospholipase, proteinase, esterase, and hemolytic activities in different Candida species isolated from the oral cavity of cancer patients and normal people. This study was conducted on 36 cancer patients and 36 healthy people. MspI restriction enzyme for PCR-RFLP method was used to identify the Candida species. The enzymatic activity index (EAI) was measured for each enzyme using the relevant protocols. Candida albicans was the most frequent species with the frequency of 26 (72%) and 31 (81.1%) in cancer patients and healthy people, respectively. In healthy individuals and patients, the mean phospholipase activity of Candida isolates was 0.795 and 0.775, proteinase activity was 0.7531 and 0.7558, esterase activity was 0.6142 and 0.7186, and hemolysin activity was 0.6317 and 0.5756, respectively. The results showed that C. albicans was the most frequent Candida species isolated from healthy people and patients. Phospholipase, proteinase, and hemolysin activity of Candida species was higher in patients than in healthy people and hemolytic activity was significantly higher in patients than in healthy subjects (P < 0.05). However, Candida species in both groups were positive for esterase activity but the mean activity of this enzyme was significantly higher in the healthy group than in the patient group.

Candida species are the fourth agent of blood infections in patients hospitalized, in which cases of treatment failure and resistance to antifungal drugs have been reported. Ginger is. In this study, the effect of alcoholic extract of ginger, which was used as an immune system stimulant, antimicrobial and antifungal, was surveyed on systemic candidiasis in Balb / c mice. In the experimental study, 49 female mice of Balb / c were randomly divided into seven group, seven mice in each group. After intravenously injection by the standard strain of C. albicans (ATCC 10231), mice were treated by ginger extract with doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg / ml and fluconazole for 7 days. Then the mice were euthanized and evaluated for microbial load of the kidneys, liver, peritoneum liquid and perforated macrophages, and the pathology of kidney and liver tissue was stained with specific staining of GMS. Ginger extract of 100 mg / ml was able to reduce the microbial load of the kidneys, liver, peritoneum and increase the count of peritoneal macrophages compared to the positive control group. The results of histopathology also confirmed the changes in liver and kidney pathology in the ginger group compared to fluconazole and positive control group in the form of mild, moderate and severe. The results indicate that ginger extract can act as an effective antifungal agent with good efficacy against invasive candidiasis.

Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is known to have antimicrobial and antifungal effects in vitro.
This study aimed to compare the effects of extracts derived from green-husked walnut with clotrimazole against Candida albicans in female rats.
In this study, 35 female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups. A total of 4 groups of rats were infected vaginally with C. albicans and 1 group was not infected (negative control). The 4 infected groups received the following treatments: 2 groups received vaginal creams containing 2% or 4% of J. nigra extracts, respectively, 1 group received 1% clotrimazole, and 1 group did not receive any treatment (positive control). All rats received treatments for 2 weeks.
The mean number of colony forming unit (CFUs) before intervention was 308.2 ± 8.73 and 219 ± 13.4 in the 2% and 4% J. nigra group, 312.7 ± 28.32 in the clotrimazole group, 233.85 ± 8.15 in the positive control, and 0 in the negative control group (P Vaginal creams containing 4% J. nigra significantly eliminated C. albicans in female rats after 1 week and its effect was similar to that of clotrimazole.

Background and Onychomycosis is fungal infection of the nails with an overall increasing incidence, worldwide. The epidemiological aspects of onychomycosis in Khuzestan, Iran have not been established. This study was aimed to evaluate the clinical and mycological status of fungal nail infection in Khuzestan Province, Iran.
Material and The study population included 433 patients (143 males vs. 290 females). Nail samples were undergone to primary direct microscopy and culture. The isolated yeasts and dermatophytes were then subjected to additional molecular identification by r-DNA ITS-RFLP. Identification of some non-dermatophytes molds (NDMs) and unknown yeasts were accomplished by ITS and beta tubulin sequencing.
Onychomycosis was confirmed in 154 patients (35.6%; 58 males vs. 96 females) whose age ranged from 2-85 years with highest prevalence in the age group of 41-50 years old. Infection was more occurred due to yeasts (59.7%) with Candida albicans as the most frequent (29.35%) species, followed by C. parapsilosis (13.8%) and C. tropicalis (4.5%). Dermatophytes were isolated in 38.35% of the cases; the most commonly isolates were found to be Trichophyton interdigitale (21.1%), Epidermophyton floccosum (10.5%), T. rubrum (5.25%) and Microsporum canis (1.5%). NDMs were isolated only in 4.5% with Aspergillus spp., as the commonest agents. Dermatophytes and NDMs more frequently seen in toenails whereas, yeasts mostly infected fingernails and fingernail onychomycosis has remarkably more occurred in females than males (P The study highlighted that the agents of infection in the population with onychomycosis from Khuzestan have shifted from dermatophytes to the yeasts.

Invasive fungal infections acquired in the hospital have progressively emerged as an important cause of life-threatening infection. In particular, airborne fungi in hospitals are considered critical pathogens of hospital-associated infections.
This study aimed to investigate the airborne fungi of indoor environments of educational hospitals in the city of Ahvaz, Iran.
The air samples were taken from seven wards in five hospitals using Quick Take 30 sample pump. A total of 175 air samples were cultured into Sabouraud dextrose agar and incubated at 25°C for 7 to 10 days. Fungal species were identified by macroscopic and microscopic features. The number of airborne fungi was presented in colony-forming unit per cubic meter (CFU/m3).
A total of 2906 fungal colonies were isolated. The highest and least numbers of fungi were related to surgical (446 CFU/m3) and neonatal intensive care unit wards (103 CFU/m3), respectively. The most frequent fungal species was Cladosporium spp. (35.3%), followed by yeasts (27.3%), Aspergillus spp. (15.1%), Penicillium spp. (12.1%), and other fungal species (10.2%)
All wards under study were heavily contaminated with different types of fungi. Thus, it is suggested to monitor the indoor air to prevent possible hospital infections.

Background and Ozone is an inorganic molecule with effective antimicrobial properties. Clinical treatment of ozonated water was used for the elimination of Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, endotoxins, and biofilms from root canals. In addition, its therapeutic effects for tinea pedis, ulcers, and leishmaniasis were investigated. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the fungicidal effects of ozone on different forms of C. albicans. In addition, antifungal susceptibility profile of strains was assessed before and after exposure to ozone.
Fifty strains of C. albicans were exposed to gaseous ozone at different times. Furthermore, biofilm formation and germ tube production were evaluated when yeast suspensions were exposed to ozone. In addition, antifungal susceptibility of ozone resistant colonies was investiagted as compared to controls.
Ozone was highly effective in killing C. albicans in yeast form and inhibition of germ tube formation during 210 and 180 s, respectively. Although with increasing exposure time biofilm production was considerably decreased, resistance to ozone was much higher among vaginal and nail isolates even after 60 min. All the strains were sensitive to fluconazole, caspofungin, and terbinafine pre- and post-ozone exposure. Resistance to amphotericin B was significantly enhanced after exposure to ozone.
Although ozone was highly effective on the yeast form of C. albicans and it can inhibit the formation of germ tubes in C. albicans, the complete removal of biofilms did not happen even after 60 min. It seems that ozone therapy induces resistance to amphotericin B.

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a chronic fungal infection that caused by P. ji- rovecii. Disease is more prevalent among the HIV-infected patients. The colonization of pneumocystis in human respiratory system is associated with the airway inflammation and obstruction. The current study was conducted to identify the preva- lence of P. jirovecii among the patients with chronic pulmonary disorders in Ahvaz, Iran. In the present study, 115 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens were collected from patients. Samples were subjected to Nested-PCR with specific primers. The second PCR products were used for sequencing analysis. Our findings demonstrated that 31(27.0%) of samples were positive for P. jirovecii. Nine patients (29%) have tuberculosis (TB) followed by, 1(3.2%) HIV positive and 21(67.7%) miscellaneous pulmonary disorders. Our results show that there was no significant differences between sex (male:female ratio, 17:14), TB, HIV and P. jirovecii in BAL samples (P>0.05). The current study is the first report from Ahvaz and it showed a relatively high frequency (27%) of P. jirovecii among patients with different pulmonary disorders. In addition Nested-PCR might be reliable technique for diagnosis of P. jirovecii, while the Grocott's methenamine silver (GMS) have a low sensitivity, which only two positive patients were identified.

Candida species are normal mycoflora of human body which are capable to cause urinary tract infection (UTI). Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a kind of innate immune system and decreasing plasma levels of MBL may disrupt the natural immune response and increase susceptibility to infections.. The aim of the present study was to assess MBL in the serum of patients with candiduria and compare them with control..Patients and The blood and urine samples were collected from 335 patients (hospitalized in Golestan hospital, Ahvaz) using standard methods and the growing colonies on CHROMagar were identified using routine diagnostic tests. MBL activity in the serum of 45 patients with candiduria and 45 controls was measured using Eastbiopharm enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.. In this study, 45 (13.4 %) urine samples were positive for Candida species (17 males and 28 females). The most common isolated yeast was Candida albicans (34%), followed by C. glabrata (32.1%), C. tropicalis (9.4%), other Candida species (22.6%), and Rhodotorula species (1.9%). The mean serum levels of MBL were 0.85 ± 0.01 ng/mL and 1.02 ± 0.03 ng/mL among candiduric patients and controls, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.6).. Our results showed that there was no significant relationship between MBL serum levels and candiduria..

Diabetes mellitus as a chronic metabolic disease occurs in patients with partial or complete deficiency of insulin secretion or disorder in action of insulin on tissue. The disease is known to provide conditions for overgrowth of Candida species. Candida spp. cause candidiasis by many virulence factors such as esterase, hemolysin and phospholipase. This study aimed to compare esterase and hemolytic activity in various Candida species isolated from oral cavity of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals.Patients and Swab samples were taken from 95 patients with diabetes (35 men and 60 women) and 95 normal persons (42 men and 53 women) and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Identification of isolated yeasts was performed by germ tube test, morphology on CHROMagar Candida medium, corn meal agar and ability to grow at 45°C. Hemolysin activity was evaluated using blood plate assay and esterase activity was determined using the Tween 80 opacity test. Different Candida species were isolated from 57 (60%) diabetic and 24 (25%) non-diabetic individuals. Esterase activity was detected in all Candida isolates. Only 21.6% of C. albicans from patients with diabetes had esterase activity as + 3, while it ranged from + 1 to + 2 in others. Hemolytic activity was determined in C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata and C. krusei as 0.79, 0.58, 0.66 and 0.74, respectively. Hemolytic activity was significantly different in the two groups of diabetics and non-diabetics. Oral carriage of C. albicans in the diabetic group (n = 42; 66.7%) was significantly greater than the control group (n = 16; 57.1%). Esterase activity of C. albicans in diabetic group was higher than non-diabetic group. Although C. albicans remains the most frequently pathogenic yeast for human, but other species are increasing.