Investigation of Candida dubliniensis in Candida spp.-positive hemocultures.

Candida dubliniensis is one of the Candida species which was first recognized in 1995. The yeast was misidentified because of its phenotypic similarities with Candida albicans. In this study, blood samples of patients from various departments at Ankara University Medical Faculty between January 1996 and September 2000 were investigated for distribution of Candida spp. and presence of C. dubliniensis. Ninety-eight culture positive fungi were included in the study. Phenotypic tests for identification of C. dubliniensis and tests for differentiation of the yeast from C. albicans, such as colony morphology on Staib agar, growth at 42 degrees C and 45 degrees C, beta-glucosidase activity and carbohydrate assimilation, were carried out. Sixty-four of the isolates produced germ tubes and chlamydospores, and none of them had the phenotypic characteristics of C. dubliniensis. Further large-scale studies of specific patient groups are necessary to reveal the etiologic importance of this yeast.