title: Performance of chromogenic media for Candida in rapid presumptive identification of Candida species from clinical materials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In perspective of the worldwide increase in a number of immunocompromised patients, the need for identification of Candida species has become a major concern. The development of chromogenic differential media, introduced recently, facilitate rapid speciation. However, it can be employed for routine mycology workup only after an exhaustive evaluation of its benefit and cost effectiveness. This study was undertaken to evaluate the benefit and cost effectiveness of chromogenic media for speciation of Candida clinical isolates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sputum samples of 382 patients were screened for the presence of Candida spp. by Gram stain and culture on sabouraud dextrose agar. Candida species were identified using Gram stain morphology, germ tube formation, cornmeal agar with Tween-80, sugar fermentation tests and morphology on HiCrome Candida differential agar. All the Candida isolates were inoculated on HiCrome Candida agar (HiMedia, Mumbai, India).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sensitivity and specificity of HiCrome agar for identification of Candida albicans were 90% and 96.42%, respectively whereas sensitivity and specificity of carbohydrate fermentation test were 86.67% and 74.07%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity values of HiCrome agar for detection of C. albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida glabrata were above 90%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found HiCrome agar has high sensitivity and specificity comparable to that of the conventional method. In addition, use of this differential media could significantly cut down the turnaround time as well as cost of sample processing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Pravin Charles
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Arunava
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kali
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Noyal Mariya
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Joseph
keywords: Candida; Chromogenic differential agar; Presumptive identification