title: Rapid identification of Candida albicans using 4-methylumbelliferyl N-acetyl-beta-galactosaminide.
abstract: Rapid identification of Candida albicans is performed mainly by the germ-tube test. However, recent reports have suggested that up to 5% of C. albicans species can give false negative results. We describe the use of 4-Methylumbelliferyl N-acetyl-beta-D-galactosaminide (4-MAG) conjugate as an alternative to the germ-tube test. Our results indicate that, in comparison to the germ-tube test, the 4-MAG test has a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 92%. Candida tropicalis can give false-positive results, and that a further screening test is required to identify this species. Problems reading end-points were not encountered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Victoria General Hospital, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Dalton
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Haldane
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: MacDonald
mesh_terms: D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D005697:Galactosides / Q000378:metabolism; D006027:Glycosides; D006801:Humans; D006923:Hymecromone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014468:Umbelliferones
chemical_list: D005697:Galactosides; D006027:Glycosides; D014468:Umbelliferones; C041455:4-methylumbelliferyl-N-acetylamino-beta-galactoside; D006923:Hymecromone