Application of hypertonic Sabouraud glucose agar for differentiation of Candida dubliniensis from Candida albicans

An evaluation of hypertonic Sabouraud glucose agar (SGA) with 6.5% NaCl for phenotypic differentiation of Candida dubliniensis from Candida albicans is reported. Identity of the test fungi (C. albicans, 84; C. dubliniensis, 18) was based on their typical phenotypic characteristics and confirmed by a diagnostic polymerase chain reaction that targets the novel C. dubliniensis group I intron in the large ribosomal subunit. At 96 h of incubation at 28 °C, all of the 84 C. albicans isolates showed growth on hypertonic SGA contrary to the consistently negative results with the 20 C. dubliniensis isolates. In strong contrast, chlamydospore formation on Staib agar yielded 10 (11.9%) false-positive results and 74 (88%) of the test C. albicans isolates showed false-negative results at 45 °C. We conclude that hypertonic SGA with 6.5% NaCl can be recommended for wider application as a reliable and inexpensive medium for routine differentiation of C. dubliniensis from C. albicans.