Comparative evaluation of six chromogenic media for presumptive yeast identification.

Aims: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the discrimination ability of six chromogenic media in presumptive yeast identification.

Methods: We analysed 108 clinical isolates and reference strains belonging to eight different species: ,, , , , , and .

Results: , and could be distinguished from one another in all the tested chromogenic media, as predicted by the manufacturers. In addition, could be distinguished from on BBL CHROMagar Candida, Kima CHROMagar Candida and Brilliance Candida, and could be identified on CHROMATIC Candida agar, CHROMOGENIC Candida agar, and Brilliance Candida agar.

Conclusions: Brilliance Candida provided the widest discrimination ability, being able to discriminate five out of the seven species tested. Interestingly, and could be already distinguished from each other after 24 hours of incubation.