Metody identyfikacji gatunkowej grzybów z rodzaju Candida. Część I. Techniki fenotypowe

The incidence of Candida spp. infections has increased in recent years due to the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and the growing numbers of immunocompromised individuals. Despite the predominance of Candida albicans, non-albicans Candida species, such as Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida guilliermondii, Candida dubliniensis, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida krusei are emerging as both, colonizers and pathogens, that can cause superficial and systemic infections. Currently, there are various methods for identifying yeasts from clinical samples. Conventional methods for identification of Candida species are based on morphological and physiological attributes. Although phenotypic identification methods are cost effective and practical procedures for routine discrimination of isolates in the clinical microbiology laboratory, the accurate identification of all isolates. Moreover, given the variability in the phenotypic characteristics and other irregularities in the taxonomy of the genus Candida, identification based on traditional methods has become less reliable. Important progress has been made with various studies on the phenotypic characteristics of these species using commercially available identification systems. The aim of this review is to summarize the methods available for identification of Candida species. The first part of the article presents the characteristics of phenotypic methods and quick identification techniques, including systems based on the use of chromogenic media.