Candida Chromogenic Agar

Description

Principles and uses

Candida Chromogenic Agar is an alternative chromogenic formulation to the traditional media for the detection and isolation of Candida spp.

The different species of Candida produce different kinds of infections. Candidiasis, the most common opportunistic fungal infection is frequently caused by Candida albicans. Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata infections occur less often. Candida spp. are present in clinical specimens due to environmental contamination, colonization, or a disease process. Candida albicans is the most common and is usually susceptible to the antigfungal agents’ azole group. However, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei are azole tolerant, thus the rapid identification of the different species of Candida is essential for its correct diagnosis and treatment. Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast. Infection with C. auris is associated with high mortality rates, and it is often resistant to multiple classes of antifungal drugs.

Candida Chromogenic Agar allows the detection of Candida auris.

In the medium Glucose is the fermentable carbohydrate providing carbon and energy. Peptone provides nitrogen, vitamins, minerals and amino acids essential for growth. Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic which aids in isolating pathogenic fungi from heavily contaminated material, as it inhibits most contaminating bacteria. It is a recommended antibiotic for use with media due to its heat stability and wide bacterial spectrum. The chromogenic mixture allows the identification and differentiation of all three species of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei by producing easy-to-read results in one plate, since they present different colored colonies, Bacteriological agar is the solidifying agent.

Formula in g/L

Bacteriological agar 15
Chromogenic mixture 0,2
Growth factors 21,2
Inhibitors 0,5
Typical formula g/L * Adjusted and/or supplemented as required to meet performance criteria