Competition of SARS-COV-2 and Candida albicans on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Receptor in COVID-19 Patients’ Tongue

K. Abdul-Sada, Hussein; N. Jawad, Rasha; M. Al-Badran, Ihsan

year 18, Issue 6 (November - December 2024) Iran J Med Microbiol 2024, 18(6): 343-351 | Back to browse issues page

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K. Abdul-Sada H, N. Jawad R, M. Al-Badran I. Competition of SARS-COV-2 and Candida albicans on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Receptor in COVID-19 Patients’ Tongue. Iran J Med Microbiol 2024; 18 (6) :343-351
URL: http://ijmm.ir/article-1-2496-en.html

Competition of SARS-COV-2 and Candida albicans on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Receptor in COVID-19 Patients’ Tongue

Hussein K. Abdul-Sada¹

, Rasha N. Jawad²

, Ihsan M. Al-Badran³

1- Department of Microbiology, Al-Zahraa College of Medicine, University of Basrah, Basra, Iraq , hussein.abdul-sada@uobasrah.edu.iq
2- Department of Nursing, Basrah Technical Institution, Southern Technical University, Basra, Iraq
3- Department of Pathology, Al-Zahraa College of Medicine, University of Basrah, Basra, Iraq

Abstract: (330 Views)

Background & Objective: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) takes advantage of the mouth and nose mucosal cells’ receptors to attach and make its way towards the lower respiratory tract. Researchers have not yet addressed the correlation of this virus with normal flora of oral cavity. Candida albicans (C. albicans) is one of the normal flora that occupies oral cavity and it is found to serve as a trap for some viruses. This study aimed to investigate the role of candida biofilm in the tongue of COVID-19 patients for protection against severity of the disease through the coverage of tongue ACE2 receptors.
Methods: A group of 56 patients called “Together to fight COVID-19” was formed through social media. The COVID-19 test results, hematological tests, and tongues photographs before and during the treatment were collected and evaluated. Data were analyzed by SPSS.
Results: Among the 56 patients who had tongue check-up for the presence of cheese-like coating of candida, 55 patients (83.3%) were positive even for the Robert Harrison’s simple Candida home test. Among them, 90% were mild with COVID-19 infection, they recovered within 10 days. Other 10% were moderate to severe, recovered in 10-20 days. Tongue images observation identified red spots and enlarged papillae within the white layer.
Conclusion: Overall, a correlation was detected between the clinical phenotypes of SARS-COV-2 and the presence of C. albicans in the tongue of the patients. These data provide a link between SARS-COV-2 severity and Candida albicans biofilm.

Keywords: ACE2 Receptor, Candida albicans, COVID-19, SARS-COV-2, Tongue Microbiota

Full-Text [PDF 772 kb] (79 Downloads)

Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Medical Virology
Received: 2024/09/7 | Accepted: 2025/01/10 | ePublished: 2025/01/29

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