Hospital aquired Candida infections has been increased currently. Candida can cause an infection or colonisation. It is known that slime factor and proteinase activity play a role in the pathogenesis of candidiasis. Therefore, it is important to determine virulance factors in the aspect of infection etiology.

In this study, 140 candida species obtained from various clinical specimens were identified using API 20C AUX.

One hundred thirteen of them (80,7 %) were C.albicans and 27 (19.3 %) of them were non C.albicans.

Slime production were investigated by macrotube method. Fifty four (47.7 %) of C.albicans were detected as weak positive, and 59 (52.2 %) were detected as strong positive. Among non- C.albicans species, 13 (48.1 %) were weak positive and 14 (51.8 %) were strong positive. There was no significant statistical difference between Candida species (p>0.05). Proteinase activity of all Candida species was investigated by gelatin hydrolysis test and determined as positive in 72 species (51.1 %). In 57 (50.4 %) C.albicans, and in 15 (55.5 %) non-C albicans proteinase activity were positive. There was no statistical difference between two groups (p>0.05).

In conclusion, slime and proteinase activity are important virulance factors among Candida species especially in non-C albicans species isolated from various clinical specimens.