Rapid identification of Candida glabrata by using a dipstick to detect trehalase-generated glucose.
Candida glabrata is a yeast frequently isolated from human specimens. Based upon its well-known ability to rapidly hydrolyze trehalose, we have developed a novel and cost-effective test incubating one yeast colony emulsified in 50 microl of citrate buffer (0.1 M [pH 5. 0]) containing 4% (wt/vol) trehalose for 3 h at 37 degrees C. Trehalase-generated glucose is detected with a commercially available dipstick (range, 1.0 to 50 g/liter). For evaluation, consecutive clinical isolates and several reference strains of C. glabrata (n = 160), C. albicans (n = 120), and other yeast species with potential ability for utilization of trehalose (C. dubliniensis, n = 11; C. famata, n = 15; C. guilliermondii, n = 5; C. lusitaniae, n = 16; C. parapsilosis, n = 20; C. tropicalis, n = 34; C. viswanathii, n = 5; Pichia angusta, n = 2; C. zeylanoides, n = 2; Saccharomyces cerevisiae, n = 16; C. neoformans, n = 7) were tested. Identification of C. glabrata is achieved within 3 h, with a specificity of 99.1% and a sensitivity of 98.8% when grown on Sabouraud dextrose agar supplemented with 4% glucose.
Peltroche-Llacsahuanga
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Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, D-52057 Aachen, Germany.
Schnitzler
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Lütticken
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R
Haase
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D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D016469:Fungemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014198:Trehalase / Q000378:metabolism*
D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D014198:Trehalase; D005947:Glucose