الفهرس 
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Abstract
Candida species are 0PPOI1t nistie pathogens which cause superficial
and systemic diseases in compromised indivduals (Sal11,(”’anayakeet at.,
2005).
Candidiasis is the most common fungal infection in human, Although
candida {llbicans ( C.albicans) is the predominant etiologic agent of
candidiasis, other candida species such as C. krusei, C. glabrata; C.
lusila.rdae and C dublinisis, he e emerged! as important opportunistic
pathogens. Infection with such species tend to be less suscptible to
commonly used drugs (RllhJlke~2006).
Virulence factors expressed by C. albicans include adhesins, the
secretion of hydrolytic enzymes such as (asprutyI proteinases and
phospholipases), phenotypic switching and dimorphism {Rozell et ai; 200,6}.
There is a relationship between the adherence of Candida species and
their abilities to colonize the biomaterial .The species which are more
adherent are those which are more virulent. (.lalH’tt.rizk at’ a./;, 200:4).
Extracelluler proteolytic actlvty plays a central role in candlda
pathogencity and is produced bya family of 10 secreted aspartyl proteinases
(SAPs proteins). SAPs proteins fulfill a number of specialized functions
during the infection process, which facilitate adhesion and tissue invasion.
(Naglik et al., 20(5) .Phosphofipases are mostlike’y to contribute to the pathogencity of C
albicans by damaging host- cell membranes. which aids fungus invasion of
host tissues (Birinci et al.~200,6).Therefo,re rapid and reliable identification
of Candida species producing certain virulence factors is importa t in
outine clinical microbiology practice (Massonet et al., 200:4).
The increase incidence of serious fungal infections illpatients suffering
from urinary tract infections asso iated with bladdercancer and cbstructive
uropathy .as well the et ergence of azole antifungal drug resistance justify
the need to investigate mechanisms of Candida species pathogenicity and
their relationship to drug resistance ( Ellepola (lIU( Mo,.risOll~ 2005).