CHROMagar™ Candida Plus

For Detection and Differentiation of Major Clinical Candida Species, Including Candida auris

CHROMagar™ Candida Plus is a selective chromogenic culture medium designed for the direct detection, isolation, differentiation, and presumptive identification of the most common clinically significant Candida species — including the emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen Candida auris. With unique, species-specific color differentiation, this medium allows rapid and accurate identification of mixed Candida populations in clinical, surveillance, and environmental samples.

CHROMagar™ Candida Plus is the first chromogenic medium on the market validated for reliable detection of C. auris alongside other major Candida species, making it an essential tool for infection prevention, outbreak control, and antifungal stewardship.

🔹 Key Features & Benefits

• ✅ Unique C. auris Detection:
  • C. auris: Light blue colonies with blue halo (front and back)
  • C. albicans: Green-blue
  • C. tropicalis: Metallic blue with pink halo
  • C. krusei: Pink and fuzzy
  • C. glabrata: Mauve
• ✅ High Specificity and Sensitivity:
  • C. auris: 100% specificity, 100% sensitivity*
  • C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei: 100% specificity*

  Validated by Mulet Bayona et al., 2020 and 2022 (Journal of Fungi), on 364 patient samples and 212 environmental specimens.

• ✅ Ideal for Outbreak Screening: Effective for routine screening, surface monitoring, and patient surveillance in outbreak investigations.
• ✅ Easy Identification: MALDI-TOF identification can be performed directly from the colony—no subculturing required.
• ✅ Rapid Results: Colonies readable after 24–48 hours of aerobic incubation at 30–37 °C.

🔹 Colony Appearance

🔹 Intended Use

CHROMagar™ Candida Plus is intended for:

• Qualitative detection and differentiation of:
  • C. auris, C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata
• Use with:
  • Skin, throat, ear, and vaginal swabs
  • Sputum, urine, and stool samples
  • Environmental surface monitoring in clinical or long-term care settings
• Parallel use with Sabouraud agar is recommended for comprehensive mycological evaluation

⚠️ This product is not intended to diagnose infection or guide therapy. Confirmation through additional testing (e.g., MALDI-TOF, PCR, susceptibility testing) is recommended.

🔹 Clinical Significance

C. auris is listed as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its:

• High prevalence of fluconazole resistance (>90%)
• Reported resistance to multiple antifungal classes
• High potential for nosocomial transmission and outbreaks

Rapid identification and containment are critical. CHROMagar™ Candida Plus is currently the gold-standard chromogenic medium for C. auris screening.

🔹 Test Procedure

1. Sample Type: Swabs (skin, throat, vaginal), urine, stool, sputum, environmental surfaces
2. Inoculation: Direct streaking onto CHROMagar™ Candida Plus
3. Incubation:
   • Temperature: 30–37 °C
   • Duration: 24–48 hours
   • Atmosphere: Aerobic
4. Interpretation: Read colonies by color and morphology as per the reference chart

🔹 Ordering Information

🔹 Storage & Shelf Life

• Storage: 2–8 °C, dry and sealed
• Shelf Life: Up to 24 months from date of manufacture
• Prepared Plates: Use within validated timeframe as indicated

CHROMagar™ Candida Plus is the first and only chromogenic medium capable of reliably detecting Candida auris alongside other major Candida species. Its unparalleled specificity, ease of use, and ability to support outbreak screening and direct MALDI-TOF identification make it the leading choice for clinical microbiology laboratories, infection control teams, and public health programs focused on controlling fungal threats.