SIMPLE METHOD FOR DETECTING FLUCONAZOLE-RESISTANT YEASTS WITH CHROMOGENIC AGAR

A method for detecting fluconazole-resistant yeasts was developed that uses chromogenic agar containing fluconazole. Yeasts were plated on m edia with fluconazole at 0, 8, and 16 mu g/ml. On media without flucon azole, normal growth of susceptible yeasts (defined as those having a fluconazole MIC of <8 mu g/ml) was detected, while fluconazole-contain ing media suppressed susceptible strains and normal colonies of resist ant yeasts (fluconazole MICs of greater than or equal to 8 mu g/ml) we re detected, This method was used to screen for resistance in orophary ngeal candidiasis, Isolates having fluconazole MICs of greater than or equal to 8 mu g/ml and <8 mu g/ml were correctly predicted in 43 of 4 5 cultures and 115 of 116 cultures, respectively. This screening metho d appears to be rapid and sensitive for detection of fluconazole-resis tant yeasts.