Phenotypic evaluation to differentiate Candida albicans from Candida dubliniensis

• Published in: Revista iberoamericana de micología Vol. 21; no. 3; pp. 135 - 138
• Main Authors: Mesa, Luz Mila, Arcaya, Noris, Cañas, Omaira, Machado, Yazmin, Calvo, Belinda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.09.2004
• Subjects: Blood - microbiology; Candida - classification; Candida - genetics; Candida - isolation & purification; Candida - ultrastructure; Candida albicans - genetics; Candida albicans - isolation & purification; Candida albicans - ultrastructure; Candidiasis - microbiology; Candidiasis, Oral - microbiology; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal - microbiology; Color; Culture Media; DNA, Fungal - analysis; DNA, Fungal - genetics; Female; Fungemia - microbiology; Humans; Mouth - microbiology; Mycological Typing Techniques - methods; Phenotype; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Species Specificity; Vagina - microbiology
• ISSN: 1130-1406

This study evaluated the phenotypic tests used to differentiate Candida albicans from Candida dubliniensis. A total of 55 isolates from vaginal secretions, oral cavity and hemoculture were studied. They were originally identified as C. albicans, based on their morphological and physiological characteristics. These isolates were tested for colony color development on CHROMagar Candida medium, growth at 45 degrees C on Sabouraud Dextrose agar, lipolytic activity on Tween 80 Agar medium and colony morphology and chlamydoconidia formation on Staib agar medium. Of the 55 isolates studied, seven yielded one or more phenotypic characteristics suggestive of Candida dubliniensis. These isolates were tested by PCR with specific primers for Candida dubliniensis and API ID 32. The seven isolates were confirmed as Candida albicans. All of these finding indicate that DNA based tests should be used for definitive identification of Candida dubliniensis.