Presumptive Identification of Candida Species Using Candida ID / 대한임상미생물학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Candida ID is introduced as a new chromogenic medium that allows presumptive identification of Candida species. We evaluated this medium to identify Candida spp. isolated from clinical specimens. METHODS: A total of 200 yeast isolates from clinical specimens in Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, from April 2001 to August 2001 were identified by using the Vitek YBC (Hazelwood, Mo., USA). The results were compared with those by Candida ID (bioMeriux, Marcy l'Etoile, France). RESULTS: Candida ID correctly identified 98.0% of Candida spp. including 100% of C. albicans and 98.9% of C. tropicalis compared with the Vitek YBC. Among 84 strains showing blue colored colony on Candida ID, 82 strains (98%) were correctly identified as C. albicans but 2 strains were identified as C. glabrata and C. guilliermondii by the Vitek YBC. Among 92 strains showing pink colored colony, 90 strains (98%) were identified as C. tropicalis, and 2 strains were identified as C. guilliermondii and C. lusitaniae by the vitek YBC. CONCLUSIONS: Candida ID provides a more rapid and easier presumptive identification of major Candida spp. isolated from clinical specimens.