Six commercially available systems for the identification of yeasts were evaluated using 133 clinical isolates and four reference strains that had been previously identified by conventional methods and 19 recent clinical isolates that had been identified by the ID32C system (bioMérieux, France). The total identification rates (TIR) established for the total number of strains tested and the database identification rates (DBIR) established for the strains included in the respective manufacturer databases were both determined. After incubation for 4 h, the TIR and DBIR were 78% and 84%, respectively, for the RapID Yeast Plus system (Innovative Diagnostic Systems, USA). After incubation for 24 h, the TIR and DBIR were 32% and 32%, respectively, for the ID32C, 65% and 67% for the Auxacolor system (Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur, France), 62% and 65% for the Fungichrom I system (International Microbio, France), 52% and 65% for the Fungifast I twin system (International Microbio), and 62% and 68% for the API Candida system (bioMérieux). The maximum TIR and DBIR (+/- 1%) obtained after incubation for 48 h were 86% and 88% for the Auxacolor, 85% and 89% for the Fungichrom I, 78% and 98% for the Fungifast I twin, and 82% and 91% for the API Candida. For the ID32C, the maximum TIR and DBIR were 98% and 98%, respectively, but these values were obtained only after 72 h of incubation. In addition, the six systems varied in their ease of use and readings. In conclusion, based on results obtained with 156 strains, the Auxacolor and Fungichrom systems seem the most appropriate for use in a clinical microbiology laboratory, due to their ease of use and reading, their rapidity, their cost per test, and their relatively high TIR results, which indicated acceptable performance with strains frequently isolated in our hospital. For a reference identification, the ID32C remains the sole system usable.

One hundred and ninety-two clinical specimens were used to compare the three chromogenic media Albicans ID, Candiselect, and CHROMagar Candida to a standard method using a Sabouraud-chloramphenicol agar medium and standard methods for identification of yeasts. The detection rates were 83.79, 83.24, 86.59 and 84.91% respectively. For the chromogenic media, the rates of direct identification (growth plus specific pigmentation) for Candida albicans were 56.50, 37.68 and 11.59% after 24 hours' incubation and 92.75, 91.30 and 88.57% after 72 hours' incubation respectively, with 100% specificity. Furthermore, CHROMagar Candida identified the five Candida tropicalis and the two Candida krusei strains detected after 48 hours' incubation.

Six commercially available systems for the identification of yeasts were evaluated using 133 clinical isolates and four reference strains that had been previously identified by conventional methods and 19 recent clinical isolates that had been identified by the ID32C system (bioMérieux, France). The total identification rates (TIR) established for the total number of strains tested and the database identification rates (DBIR) established for the strains included in the respective manufacturer databases were both determined. After incubation for 4 h, the TIR and DBIR were 78% and 84%, respectively, for the RapID Yeast Plus system (Innovative Diagnostic Systems, USA). After incubation for 24 h, the TIR and DBIR were 32% and 32%, respectively, for the ID32C, 65% and 67% for the Auxacolor system (Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur, France), 62% and 65% for the Fungichrom I system (International Microbio, France), 52% and 65% for the Fungifast I twin system (International Microbio), and 62% and 68% for the API Candida system (bioMérieux). The maximum TIR and DBIR (+/- 1%) obtained after incubation for 48 h were 86% and 88% for the Auxacolor, 85% and 89% for the Fungichrom I, 78% and 98% for the Fungifast I twin, and 82% and 91% for the API Candida. For the ID32C, the maximum TIR and DBIR were 98% and 98%, respectively, but these values were obtained only after 72 h of incubation. In addition, the six systems varied in their ease of use and readings. In conclusion, based on results obtained with 156 strains, the Auxacolor and Fungichrom systems seem the most appropriate for use in a clinical microbiology laboratory, due to their ease of use and reading, their rapidity, their cost per test, and their relatively high TIR results, which indicated acceptable performance with strains frequently isolated in our hospital. For a reference identification, the ID32C remains the sole system usable.

A total of 322 yeast strains and yeastlike organisms belonging to the genera Candida, Cryptococcus, Geotrichum, Saccharomyces, and Trichosporon were tested with the new monoclonal antibody-based Bichro-latex albicans and Krusei color latex tests. Comparison of results with those obtained by conventional identification methods showed 100% sensitivity for both latex tests and 100% and 95% specificity for the Bichro-latex albicans and Krusei color tests, respectively. Because the test is easy to read and quick to perform, the Bichro-latex albicans test may be useful for rapid identification of Candida albicans colonies in the clinical laboratory.