USE OF CHROMAGAR CANDIDA FOR GENITAL SPECIMENS IN THE DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY

Objective-To evaluate CHROMagar Candida (CA), a new yeast differential medium, for yeast isolation in a clinical laboratory for the routine examination of high vaginal swabs. Methods-Results of high vaginal swa b cultures processed in a standard manner on plates containing equal h alves of Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and CA were compared. Non-Candi da albicans yeast isolates were further speciated with API 20C AUX or API 32C. To assess the ease of use of CA, laboratory staff lacking in experience of the medium were asked to identify 23 unlabelled yeast cu ltures on CA by referring to six labelled reference plates. Results-Of the 1784 swab cultures processed, yeasts were isolated from 373 SDA a nd 368 CA. Of the 78 non-albicans isolates further speciated, CA ident ified correctly all cultures of C krusei and C tropicalis, and 82% of C glabrata. All the 38 inexperienced laboratory staff achieved 100% ac curacy for C albicans and over 90% for C krusei and C tropicalis. Conc lusions-CA is a satisfactory isolation medium for genital specimens, a llowing immediate and correct identification of the commonly encounter ed yeasts and easy recognition of mixed cultures.