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Published on: November 8, 2016
Comparative evaluation of six chromogenic media for presumptive yeast identification
Alessandra Vecchione1, Walter Florio1, Francesco Celandroni1
1Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale e delle Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Aims:
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the discrimination ability of six chromogenic media in presumptive yeast identification.
Methods:
We analysed 108 clinical isolates and reference strains belonging to eight different species: Candida albicans,Candida dubliniensis, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis,Candida lusitaniae and Trichosporon mucoides.
Results:
C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. krusei could be distinguished from one another in all the tested chromogenic media, as predicted by the manufacturers. In addition, C. albicans could be distinguished from C. dubliniensis on BBL CHROMagar Candida, Kima CHROMagar Candida and Brilliance Candida, and C. parapsilosis could be identified on CHROMATIC Candida agar, CHROMOGENIC Candida agar, and Brilliance Candida agar.
Conclusions:
Brilliance Candida provided the widest discrimination ability, being able to discriminate five out of the seven Candida species tested. Interestingly, C. tropicalis and C. krusei could be already distinguished from each other after 24 hours of incubation.
Insights
Six chromogenic media were evaluated for yeast identification. Brilliance Candida agar demonstrated the broadest discrimination ability, distinguishing five Candida species, with some differentiation occurring within 24 hours.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Clinical Microbiology
- Diagnostic Microbiology
Background:
- Accurate and rapid identification of yeast species is crucial for effective patient management and infection control.
- Chromogenic media offer a promising approach for presumptive yeast identification, potentially reducing diagnostic turnaround times.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the discriminatory power of six different chromogenic media for the presumptive identification of common yeast species.
- To compare the performance of these media in differentiating clinically relevant Candida and Trichosporon species.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of 108 clinical isolates and reference strains, encompassing eight distinct yeast species.
- Testing included Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida lusitaniae, and Trichosporon mucoides.
- Assessment of presumptive identification based on colony morphology and color on each chromogenic medium.
Main Results:
- Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei were distinguishable on all tested media.
- Candida albicans was differentiated from Candida dubliniensis on BBL CHROMagar Candida, Kima CHROMagar Candida, and Brilliance Candida.
- Candida parapsilosis was identifiable on CHROMATIC Candida agar, CHROMOGENIC Candida agar, and Brilliance Candida agar.
Conclusions:
- Brilliance Candida agar exhibited the highest discriminatory capacity, enabling the differentiation of five out of seven tested Candida species.
- Early differentiation of Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei was observed within 24 hours of incubation on Brilliance Candida agar.
