Identification of Candida Species Using CHROMagar Candida in Superficial Cutaneous Candidiasis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGOUND: CHROMagar Candida is a new differential culture medium that allows selective isolation and identification of clinically important Candida species. However, no study of CHROMagar Candida in superficial cutaneous candidiasis has been reported in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of CHROMagar Candida to identify Candida species isolated from patients with cutaneous candidiasis. METHOD: A total of 95 strains isolated from 92 patients with candidiasis (70 Candida albicans, 9 Candida parapsilosis, 7 Candida guilliermondii, 1 Candida krusei, 1 Candida glabrata, 1 Candida tropicalis, 2 C. albicans plus C. parapsilosis, 1 C. albicans plus C. krusei) were subcultured to CHROMagar Candida (KOMED, Korea) and incubated for 48 hours. Colony appearance on CHROMagar Candida was assessed by two observers. RESULTS: Expected colony appearance on CHROMagar Candida was 100% for C. albicans, C. krusei, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis, respectively but 85.7% for C. guilliermondii and 77.8% for C. parapsilosis. Three mixed cultures of Candida species, not detected by conventional methods, were detected by CHROMagar Candida. CONCLUSION: CHROMagar Candida is a useful isolation medium capable of a rapid presumptive identification of Candida species and more reliable detection of mixed cultures in clinical specimens.

Isolation and Identification of Candida Species in Superficial Cutaneous Candidiasis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: There have been few clinical and mycological studies of superficial cutaneous candidiasis in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the recent clinical and mycological features of superficial cutaneous candidiasis and correlation between underlying diseases and candidiasis. METHODS: Among 233 patients, 233 strains of Candida(C.) species were isolated and identified by Sabouraud's dextrose agar culture, germ tube test and sugar assimilation test using API 20C kit. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 1. The incidence of superficial cutaneous candidiasis was 4.0% out of a total of 5,809 out-patients. 2. The ratio of male to female patients was 1.1:1. 3. Among the age groups, the incidence rate was high in the first decade and above sixth decade. 4. Candidal intertrigo was the most common type of infection(56.7%). 5. Among 233 Candida species C. albicans(90.6%), C. parapsilosis(4.7%), C. guilliermondii(2.1%), C. tropicalis(1.7%), C. glabrata(0.9%) were identified. 6. Neurological disease was the most common underlying disease(56.4%).

Superficial Cutaneous Candidiasis / 대한의진균학회지

Candidiasis is an acute or chronic infection caused most commonly by Candida albicans and occasionally by other species of the genus Candida. The superficial cutaneous candidiasis is varied; oral Candidiasis, perieche, candidal vulvovaginitis, candidal balanitis, candidal intertrigo, erosio interdigitalis blastomycetica, perianal candidiasis, candidal paronychia, candidal onychia, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, congenital cutaneous candidiasis, and candidid. Diagnosis can be made by typical appearance of the clinical lesions and the presence of satellite vesicopustules. This can be confirmed by KOH examination and culture of skin scrapings. Treatment is the correction of predisposing factors, topical therapy of imidazoles and/or systemic administration of itraconazole or fluconazole.