Evaluation of CHROMagar Candida medium for the isolation and direct identification of yeast species from the female genital tract.

The performance and cost-effectiveness of CHROMagar Candida in the isolation and identification of Candida species from female genital tract specimens were investigated. Eight hundred and forty-three specimens were inoculated in parallel onto malt extract agar and CHROMagar Candida. Yeasts isolated on CHROMagar were provisionally identified by morphology and pigmentation. Those isolated on malt extract agar were further identified by a germ tube test, and negative isolates were identified biochemically. A cost comparison was performed, detailing labour and material costs. Of 119 yeast isolates, seven were detected only on CHROMagar. Mixed Candida spp. from three specimens were only differentiated on CHROMagar. There was a 100% correlation between the results of the germ tube test and provisional identity on CHROMagar. CHROMagar Candida facilitated the presumptive identification of yeast isolates from the female genital tract, and the detection of mixed populations. The cost of the media was higher than malt extract agar and germ tube testing, but the rapid identification of isolates to species level and ease of use may be of sufficient advantage to justify the extra cost.