EVALUATION OF LATEX REAGENTS FOR RAPID IDENTIFICATION OF CANDIDA-ALBICANS AND C-KRUSEI COLONIES

A total of 322 yeast strains and yeastlike organisms belonging to the genera Candida, Cryptococcus, Geotrichum, Saccharomyces, and Trichospo ron were tested with the new monoclonal antibody-based Bichro-latex al bicans and Krusei color latex tests. Comparison of results with those obtained by conventional identification methods showed 100% sensitivit y for both latex tests and 100% and 95% specificity for the Bichro-lat ex albicans and Krusei color tests, respectively. Because the test is easy to read and quick to perform, the Bichro-latex albicans test may be useful for rapid identification of Candida albicans colonies in the clinical laboratory.