A new caffeic acid minimal synthetic medium for the rapid identification of Cryptococcus neoformans isolates.

Melanin production is one of the most important criteria for rapid identification of Cryptococcus neoformans. Most of the media described in the literature for identifying C. neoformans are very complex; they contain many organic or inorganic compounds and are difficult to prepare and store. The new minimal synthetic caffeic acid medium described in this paper is simpler to prepare, convenient and constitutes an interesting new medium for the rapid identification of C. neoformans isolates.