Resumen:
bjective: The aim of this study was to explore the association between malignant andpremalignant lesions and the virulence factor profile of Candida spp. recovered fromdifferent oral lesions.Design: Candida spp. isolated from malignant lesions (squamous cell carcinoma, OC, n =25), atypical lichen planus (AL, n = 11), chronic candidiasis (CC, n = 25), andasymptomatic carriers (WI, n = 15, control strains.) Isolates were identified inchromogenic medium, colony morphology and biochemical tests. The lipolytic andproteinase activity was determined on supplemented agar with olive oil and BSA,respectively. The biofilm formation with XTT reduction assay and cellular surfacehydrophobicity (CSH) by water- hydrocarbon method were performed.Results: All isolates recovered from oral lesions produced the four virulence factors studiedwith significantly higher levels than in WI isolates. Interestingly, lipolytic activity wasabsent in WI isolates. The proteolytic activity was similar in AL and OC iso