Carbohydrate patterns of Candida, Cryptococcus and Rhodotorula species

Within the genus Candida three distinct groups are recognized on the basis of carbohydrate patterns of intact whole cell hydrolyzates. In the first, ascomycetous, group mannose is dominant, while rhamnose, fucose and xylose are absent; this is indicative of an affinity with endomycetous families. Among the basidiomycetous representatives, two groups can be recognized. One group is usually characterized by the presence of xylose and has a low mannose content. The pattern is typical for Cryptococcales and Tremellales (e.g., Cryptococcus, Trichosporon, Bullera and Tremella). The other basidiomycetous group is characterized by the presence of fucose and/or rhamnose with significant amounts of mannose. This pattern is characteristic for Sporobolomycetaceae.