Comparison of methods used in identification of Candida albicans

Candida species is a major fungal pathogen in humans. Candidal infections represent the fourth most common nosocomial infection worldwide. In other hand, systemic Canadidal infections have high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in case of non-appropriate treatments. Since, Candida albicans represent the most common species that cause Candidal infections, accurate identification of Candida albicans from other species has critical importance due to the differences in antifungal susceptibility profiles. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare some standard phenotypic and genotypic techniques in identification of C. albicans isolates. The specimens were collected from seventy five patients diagnosed with respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, or Candidemia. The colonies of Candida were subjected to specific identification by germ tube test, growth on chromogenic agar and also using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fifty three isolates were identified as C. albicans by taking the PCR as standard technique in comparison to germ tube test which gives positive result with only 84.1% of the strains, while the chromogenic agar give the green colonies with 96.3% of C. albicans isolates. These results suggest that the PCR is more sensitive and rapid than phenotypic techniques represented by germ tube and chromogenic agar for discrimination of C. albicans from other Candida species.