[Evaluation of Candida spp. Susceptibility Using Asty Colorimetric Microdilution Including Caspofungin]

We carried out performance evaluation tests using clinical isolates in a modified yeast fungal drug susceptibility test kit ASTY plus caspofungin (CPFG) (Kyokuto Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). We used 51 strains of clinical isolates (Candida albicans, 30 strains; C. dubliniensis, 2 strains; C. glabrata, 4 strains; C. tropicalis, 4 strains; C. guilliermondii, 4 strains; C. parapsilosis, 4 strains; C. krusei, 3 strains). In this evaluation, minimum inhibitory concentration values of clinical isolates using the control CLSI method (Yeast-like fungi FP; Eiken Chemical, Tokyo, Japan), ASTY method, and another method (Yeast-like fungus DP; Eiken Chemical) were compared. The drugs with a concordance rate of 90% or more within ±1 tube were CPFG, amphotericin-B, 5-flucytosine, voriconazole, and those with a concordance rate of 80% or more were micafungin, fluconazole, and itraconazole. The above results clarified that the ASTY method correlated highly with the CLSI method.