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Strain differentiation of Candida albicans by morphotyping
S Phongpaichit1, D W Mackenzie, C Fraser
1Mycological Reference Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, London.
Epidemiology and Infection
|October 1, 1987
Summary
A new morphotyping system differentiates Candida albicans strains using streak colony morphology on malt agar. This simple, reproducible method aids in epidemiological studies of candidiasis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Medical Mycology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Candida albicans is a significant human pathogen.
- Differentiating C. albicans strains is crucial for epidemiological tracking and understanding candidiasis outbreaks.
- Existing methods for strain differentiation can be complex or require specialized equipment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel, simple, and reproducible morphotyping system for differentiating Candida albicans strains.
- To establish a numerical coding system based on observable colony morphology.
- To facilitate epidemiological studies of C. albicans and candidiasis.
Main Methods:
- Culturing Candida albicans strains on malt agar to observe streak colony morphology.
- Analyzing morphological features, specifically marginal fringing and surface topography.
- Assigning numerical codes based on these morphological characteristics to define distinct morphotypes.
Main Results:
- The proposed morphotyping system effectively differentiates various strains of Candida albicans.
- The system relies on easily observable features of streak colonies, such as fringing and topography.
- Numerical codes were successfully assigned to categorize different morphotypes.
Conclusions:
- The developed morphotyping system offers a straightforward and reproducible method for C. albicans strain differentiation.
- This system requires no specialized equipment or expertise, making it accessible for routine laboratory use.
- The method provides a valuable tool for epidemiological investigations of candidiasis.