Abstract: Objective To investigate the difference of ERG11 gene between the yeast and hyphal forms of Candida albicans by PCR-LIS-SSCP (lowionic strength single-strand conformation polymorphism).Methods The genome DNA was extracted from the yeast and hyphal forms of 16 strains of C.albicans,which were isolated from a HIV-seropositive patient and showed different susceptibility to fluoconazole.ERG11 gene was amplified by PCR with seven sets of primers.Then the PCR products were denatured and subjected to PCR-LIS-SSCP analysis.Results Seven fragments of the ERG11 gene were successfully amplified for both forms of all 16 strains.As shown by PCR-LIS-SSCP fingerprints,differences were observed in many sites of ERG11 gene between the two forms of C.albicans.Conclusion In general,differences exist in the ERG11 gene sequence between the hyphal form and yeast form of C.albicans.

Key words: Candida albicans, Hyphal form, Yeast, ERG11 gene