Biochemical Studies on the Virulence Factors of Fungi Associated with She-Camel Milk

Milk is an ideal habitat for the growth and multiplication of microorganisms due to its nutritional constitution which contains protein, carbohydrate, mineral and vitamins. All these components support the growth of many forms of bacteria, fungi and yeasts. Raw milk aseptically drawn from a healthy animal usually contains a few bacteria. This work aimed firstly to study the virulent factors of isolated yeasts in raw camel milk, and secondary detection the efficacy of PCR as a method of detection of the yeast virulence. A total of 40 samples were collected from camel milk from different localities in Egypt and were subjected for subclinical mastitis ‘‘California mastitis test’’. Results revealed that 4 samples (10%) have subclinical mastitis and rest of samples was negative to the test. From the results of fungal examination and isolation on specific media, we found that 6 samples were single infection (15%) and 2 were mixed infection (5%). Identification of these isolates were Aspergillus Niger 1 (2.5%) Aspergillus fumigatus 1 (2.5%), Rhizopas1 (2.5%), Mucor1 (2.5%), penicillium 2 isolates (5%), and Candida albicans 4 isolates (10%). We found that all C. albicans have ability to produce germ tube by incubation on rabbit serum, Chlamydospore, and phospholipase enzyme by using PCR to detect this enzyme as a rapid and sensitive method, so we found that all isolates have ability to produce that enzyme and we can use PCR also as a direct method for Identification with high efficacy. From the results, it can be concludued that low incidence of fungal agents associated with she-camel’s milk and the main common Moulds and yeasts associated with mastitis were zygomycetes "Rhizopus 1 (2.5%), Mucor 1(2.5%)", Aspergillus "Fumigatus 1 (2.5)%, Niger 1 (2.5%), Penicillium 2 (5%)" and Candida albicans 4 (10%). Virulent factors of C. albicans germ tube, chlamydospores, Proteolytic and Phospholipase activities Which can be detected by using PCR.