Evaluation of the new Mycotube test-kit for yeast identification

The performance of a modified Mycotube test for the identification of yeasts was evaluated using standard biochemical tests as reference. One hundred and eighty strains belonging to 12 medically important species (15 strains each) were tested. The overall rate of identification was 72%, and rose to 87.8% when macroscopic and microscopic morphologic features were also considered; a 100% rate was obtained with Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida pseudotropicalis, Candida tropicalis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Torulopsis glabrata. For the species Candida guilliermondii, Cryptococcus neoformans, Geotrichum candidum, Rhodotorula and Trichosporon cutaneum we propose a new evaluation chart and additional code numbers. Mycotube facilitates the routine identification of yeasts but recourse to macroscopic and microscopic examination may also be necessary.