In vitro susceptibility of Candida species to lysozyme

The in vitro sensitivity of 68 oral and vaginal isolates of Candida species to lysozyme was determined by a growth inhibition assay. Experiments with a single isolate of Candida albicans indicated that sensitivity to lysozyme increases in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The examined Candida species were susceptible to lysozyme in the following decreasing order: Candida krusei (most susceptible), Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Candida guilliermondii, Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. However, there were differences in susceptibility to lysozyme among different isolates within a given species. These results indicate that lysozyme may regulate, in a qualitative and quantitative manner, the yeast populations on human mucosal surfaces.