FORMATION OF CHLAMYDOSPORES BY CANDIDA-ALBICANS IN AGAR MEDIA CONTAINING PLANT-EXTRACTS

Over 90 % of 48 strains of Candida albicans produced chlamydospores wi thin 48 h when cultured by the Dalmau technique on agar media containi ng water extracts of the seeds of the tropical plants, Mucuna flagelli pes, Brachystegia eurycoma, Afzelia aficana, Detarium microcarpum, Sor ghum aethiopicum and Sorghum vogelianum and incorporating 1 % (v/v) Tw een 80. The media were also satisfactory for the demonstration of char acteristic mycelial growth of Candida tropicalis, Candida pseudotropic alis, Can dida parapsilosis, Candida krusei and Candida guilliermondii . The efficacy of the various test media in identification of C. albic ans from 260 clinical specimens (166 vaginal and 94 mouth swabs) on th e basis of chlamydospore formation in primary cultures was investigate d. A comparative statistical analysis using the << t-test >> showed th at there was no significant difference, at 5 % level of significance, between the different test media and corn meal agar in effectivity at inducing the formation of chlamydospores by C. albicans in primary cul tures. The media are recommended for use as chlamydospore media.