Candida albicans (C. albicans) has several virulence factors, in particular heat
shock protein 90 (Hsp90), which is expressed by Hsp90 gene. The purposes of this study were to
assess the expression of Hsp90 gene in clinical and control isolates of C. albicans obtained from
different geographical regions (Malaysia and Iran), different temperatures (25ºC, 37ºC and 42ºC)
and mice with candidiasis.
Methods: C. albicans isolates were cultured onto sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). The
assessment of the expression of Hsp90 gene was performed using real time-polymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR).
Results: The results showed a significant increase in the expression of C. albicans Hsp90
gene under high thermal shock (42ºC) when compared to other temperatures tested (P-value =
0.001). The mean differences in the expression of Hsp90 gene at 37ºC were 0.20 (95% confidence
interval (CI) 0.13-0.29) between Malaysian and Iranian controls (P-value = 0.040) and 0.47 (95% CI
0.27-0.60) between Malaysian and Iranian patients (P-value = 0.040).
Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the expression of C. albicans Hsp90 gene varied
between Malaysian and Iranian subjects, representing the efficacy of geographical and thermal
conditions on virulence gene expression.