HiCrome™ Candida Differential Agar

Intended Use

Recommended for rapid isolation and identification of Candida species from mixed cultures in clinical and non-clinical samples.

Composition**

Final pH (at 25°C) 6.3±0.2

**Formula adjusted, standardized to suit performance parameters

Directions

Suspend 42.72 gram in 1000 ml purified/distilled water. Heat to boiling to dissolve the medium completely. DO NOT AUTOCLAVE. Cool to 45-50°C. Mix well and pour into sterile Petri plates.

Principle And Interpretation

Perry and Miller (1) reported that Candida albicans produces an enzyme β-N-acetyl- galactosaminidase and according to Rousselle et al (2) incorporation of chromogenic or fluorogenic hexosaminidase substrates into the growth medium helps in identification of C.albicans isolates directly on primary isolation. HiCrome™ Candida Differential Agar is a selective and differential medium, which facilitates rapid isolation of yeasts from mixed cultures and allows differentiation of Candida species namely C.albicans, C.krusei, C.tropicalis and C.glabrata on the basis of colouration and colony morphology. On this medium results are obtained within 48 hours and it is useful for the rapid and presumptive identification of common yeasts in Mycology and Clinical Microbiology Laboratory. Peptone special and yeast extract provides nitrogenous, carbonaceous compounds and other essential growth nutrients. Phosphate buffers the medium well. Chloramphenicol suppresses the accompanying bacterial flora.

C.albicans appear as light green coloured smooth colonies, C.tropicalis appear as blue to metallic blue coloured raised colonies. C.glabrata colonies appear as cream to white smooth colonies, while C.krusei appear as purple fuzzy colonies.

Type of specimen

Clinical samples - skin scrapings, urine, etc.; Food & dairy samples

Specimen Collection and Handling

For clinical samples follow appropriate techniques for handling specimens as per established guidelines (3,4).

For food and dairy samples, follow appropriate techniques for sample collection and processing as per guidelines (5,6).

After use, contaminated materials must be sterilized by autoclaving before discarding.

Warning and Precautions

In Vitro diagnostic Use only. For professional use only. Read the label before opening the container. Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/ face protection. Follow good microbiological lab practices while handling specimens and culture. Standard precautions as per established guidelines should be followed while handling clinical specimens. Safety guidelines may be referred in individual safety data sheets.

Limitations

1. Variations in colour intensity may be observed for Candida isolates depending on the presence of enzymes.
2. Other Candida species may produce light mauve coloured colonies which is also produced by other yeast cells. This must be confirmed by further biochemical tests.
3. Other filamentous fungi also exhibit colour on this medium.

Performance And Evaluation

Performance of the medium is expected when used as per the direction on the label within the expiry period when stored at recommended temperature.

Quality Control

Appearance Cream to beige homogeneous free flowing powder

Gelling Firm, comparable with 1.5% Agar gel

Colour and Clarity of prepared medium Light amber coloured, clear to slightly opalescent gel forms in Petri plates

Reaction Reaction of 4.27% w/v aqueous solution at 25°C. pH : 6.3±0.2

pH 6.10-6.50

Cultural Response

Cultural characteristics observed after an incubation at 30-35°C for 40-48 hours.

Key: *Corresponding WDCM numbers. # - Formerly known as Candida krusei

Storage and Shelf Life

Store between 15-25°C in a tightly closed container and the prepared medium at 2-8°C. Use before expiry date on the label. On opening, product should be properly stored dry, after tightly capping the bottle in order to prevent lump formation due to the hygroscopic nature of the product. Improper storage of the product may lead to lump formation. Store in dry ventilated area protected from extremes of temperature and sources of ignition Seal the container tightly after use. Product performance is best if used within stated expiry period.

Disposal

User must ensure safe disposal by autoclaving and/or incineration of used or unusable preparations of this product. Follow established laboratory procedures in disposing of infectious materials and material that comes into contact with clinical sample must be decontaminated and disposed of in accordance with current laboratory techniques (3,4).

References

1. Perry J. L. and Miller G. R., 1987, J. Clin. Microbiol., 25: 2424 -2425.
2. Rousselle P., Freydiere A., Couillerot P., de Montclos H. and GilleY., 1994, J. Clin. Microbiol. 32:3034-3036.
3. Isenberg, H.D. Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook 2nd Edition.
4. Jorgensen, J.H., Pfaller, M.A., Carroll, K.C., Funke, G., Landry, M.L., Richter, S.S and Warnock., D.W. (2015) Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 11th Edition. Vol. 1.
5. American Public Health Association, Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products, 1978, 14th Ed., Washington D.C.
6. Salfinger Y., and Tortorello M.L., 2015, Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods, 5th Ed., American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C.