An Implementation Strategy for the Use of Chromogenic Media in the Rapid, Presumptive Identification of Candida Species

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to devise an algorithm utilizing chromogenic media for the detection and presumptive identification of Candida species in a clinical microbiology laboratory. In order to select one chromogenic medium, a limited evaluation of 3 commercially available yeast chromogenic media: BBL CHROMagar Candida, Bio- Rad CandiSelect 4, and Oxoid OCCA, was conducted with 12 C. albicans, 8 C. glabrata, 10 C. tropicalis, and 9 C. krusei. The presumptive species identification after 48 hours of incubation on BBL and Bio-Rad media were comparable, with more than 80% of the Candida species correctly identified, and both were superior to Oxoid. An algorithm based on use of chromogenic media for the rapid presumptive identification of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, and C. glabrata was developed for routine use in the microbiology laboratory. A presumptive identification is available within 24 to 48 hours utilizing this algorithm.