Isolation and Identification of Candida Species from the Oral Cavity Using CHROMagar Candida

CHROMagar Candida is a new chromogenic culture medium that is used for the isolation and direct identification of some of the most clinically important yeast pathogens on the basis of colony colour. The aim of the study was to isolate and identify Candida species from the oral cavity with CHROMagar Candida. Samples (158) from 68 orthodontic patients wearing upper removable orthodontic appliances and 51 oral medicine patients were cultured on CHROMagar Candida at 37C for 48 h. Isolates with green colonies in colour were all confirmed as C. albicans (53) by germ tube test and others were confirmed as C. parapsilosis (10) and C. glabrata (3) by Rapid ID 32 C kits. There were 11 cases of mixed yeast cultures in this study that were easily recognised using the medium. In conclusion, C. albicans is the most frequently isolated yeast from the oral cavity of both orthodontic and oral medicine patients. Moreover CHROMagar Candida is a useful culture medium for the isolation and direct identification of Candida species, especially mixed cultures.