Rapid colorimetric test for Candida albicans differentiates from other yeast species on standard diagnostic culture media in just one hour using safe, non-carcinogenic substrates
Oxoid has launched a new rapid colorimetric test for Candida albicans.
Obis albicans (ID0700M) differentiates Candida albicans from other yeast species on standard diagnostic culture media in just one hour.
Recent trends in the incidence of invasive Candida infections have highlighted a need for the rapid differentiation of C albicans from non-albicans Candida species.
In addition to a worldwide increase in systemic Candida infections, some countries have found that an increasing proportion of these infections are due to non-albicans Candida species.
Although C albicans is sensitive to azoles, which are the most widely used of all antifungal agents, some non-albicans Candida species are resistant to the azole group of drugs.
It is therefore important to obtain rapid, species-level identifications in order to direct appropriate antifungal treatment.
Obis albicans is extremely easy to use and quickly indicates whether a suspect colony is C albicans or not.
The two-stage test detects the presence of two enzymes, b-galactosaminidase and L-proline aminopeptidase.
Both of these enzymes are produced by C albicans, however one or both enzymes is absent in other yeast species.
If both stages of the test produce a colour reaction, the result is presumptive positive for C albicans.
The absence of a colour reaction in either or both stages of the test indicates that the suspect colonies are not C albicans.
Unlike some biochemical tests, Obis albicans uses safe, non-carcinogenic substrates.
In addition, it is a much faster alternative to time-consuming and subjective physiological methods, such as the germ tube test, says Oxoid.
