Performance of chromogenic media for Candida in rapid presumptive identification of Candida species from clinical materials

Abstract

Background:In perspective of the worldwide increase in a number of immunocompromised patients, the need for identification of Candida species has become a major concern. The development of chromogenic differential media, introduced recently, facilitate rapid speciation. However, it can be employed for routine mycology workup only after an exhaustive evaluation of its benefit and cost effectiveness. This study was undertaken to evaluate the benefit and cost effectiveness of chromogenic media for speciation of Candida clinical isolates.Materials and Methods:Sputum samples of 382 patients were screened for the presence of Candida spp. by Gram stain and culture on sabouraud dextrose agar. Candida species were identified using Gram stain morphology, germ tube formation, cornmeal agar with Tween-80, sugar fermentation tests and morphology on HiCrome Candida differential agar. All the Candida isolates were inoculated on HiCrome Candida agar (HiMedia, Mumbai, India).Results:The sensitivity and specificity of HiCrome agar for identification of Candida albicans were 90% and 96.42%, respectively whereas sensitivity and specificity of carbohydrate fermentation test were 86.67% and 74.07%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity values of HiCrome agar for detection of C. albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida glabrata were above 90%.Conclusions:We found HiCrome agar has high sensitivity and specificity comparable to that of the conventional method. In addition, use of this differential media could significantly cut down the turnaround time as well as cost of sample processing.

Evaluation of divergent yeast genera for fermentation-associated stresses and identification of a robust sugarcane distillery waste isolate Saccharomyces cerevisiae NGY10 for lignocellulosic ethanol production in SHF and SSF

“…More than 500 microbial colonies showing yeast-like growth were isolated from serial dilutions (10 −1 –10 −6 ) of six different samples ("Methods"). 82 yeast looking colonies of 10 −3 and 10 −4 dilutions were further screened on chrome agar [29]. Based on the chrome agar screening and growth at 40 °C, 25 yeast-like colonies were selected to evaluate their fermentation potential related to lignocellulosic ethanol production.…”

High Biofilm Formation of Non-Smooth Candida parapsilosis Correlates with Increased Incorporation of GPI-Modified Wall Adhesins

“…Strains were maintained on YPD (1% yeast extract, 2% peptone, and 2% glucose) or Sabouraud (Oxoid GmbH, Wesel, Germany) agar. Colony morphology was studied on YPD agar with or without 5 mg/mL of Phloxine B [13] (Sigma, Steinheim, Germany) and on cornmeal agar [27] (Becton Dickinson and Company, Le-Pont de-Claix, France). Inocula for liquid culturing were prepared by pre-culturing overnight in YPD, unless stated otherwise.…”

The burden of serious fungal infections in Azerbaijan

“… 53 , 54 Antigen testing, including galactomannan and β- d -glucan are essential for timely diagnostic of many invasive mycoses, which is crucial for improved patient outcomes. 55 Recent developments such as high-volume culture of respiratory samples, 56 or the use of chromogenic agar to presumptively identify Candida spp., 57 – 59 are welcome. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) identification of fungi is now much improved, with better algorithms for culture age and media to be used.…”