CHROMagar™ Candida

For Isolation, Differentiation, and Presumptive Identification of Clinically Significant Candida Species

CHROMagar™ Candida is a selective chromogenic culture medium specifically developed for the detection, isolation, and differentiation of the major Candida species directly from clinical specimens. With visually distinct colony colors, this medium enables rapid identification of Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, and other clinically relevant species, even in mixed infections.

Designed for use in parallel with Sabouraud agar, CHROMagar™ Candida offers superior visibility, speed, and interpretability in diagnosing superficial and invasive candidiasis.

🔹 Key Features & Benefits

• ✅ Rapid Differentiation by Colony Color:

  Candida Species	Colony Color
  C. albicans	Green
  C. glabrata	Mauve
  C. tropicalis	Metallic Blue
  C. krusei	Pink, fuzzy edges

• ✅ Early Results: Readable after 20–48 hours of aerobic incubation at 35–37 °C.
• ✅ High Contrast Chromogenic Formula: Enables easy detection of mixed cultures, unlike conventional media.
• ✅ Comprehensive Population View: Detects dominant and minor Candida populations, giving a panoramic view of colonization.
• ✅ Reduced Laboratory Workload: Eliminates need for extensive subculturing or biochemical tests for initial differentiation.

🔹 Intended Use

CHROMagar™ Candida is intended for:

• Qualitative detection and differentiation of Candida spp. from:
  • Skin, throat, ear, and vaginal swabs
  • Sputum, urine, and stool samples
• Use alongside Sabouraud agar for screening and diagnosis of candidiasis
• Helpful in:
  • Oropharyngeal, vulvovaginal, and cutaneous candidiasis
  • Hospital-acquired candidemia
  • Immunocompromised patient monitoring

⚠️ Not intended as a standalone diagnostic or therapeutic decision-making tool. Additional testing (e.g., MALDI-TOF, molecular methods) is needed to confirm species and susceptibility.

🔹 Clinical Relevance

While Candida albicans remains the most prevalent species in fungal infections, the emergence of non-albicans Candida species like C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei—often with reduced susceptibility to antifungals—makes early species-level differentiation crucial for guiding therapy.

📌 “Early diagnosis is essential for early effective management.”

(WHO Guidelines on SOP for HIV-Opportunistic Infections)

CHROMagar™ Candida directly supports antifungal stewardship and patient outcome improvement by providing rapid presumptive identification.

🔹 Test Procedure

1. Sample Types: Swabs (skin, throat, vaginal), urine, sputum, stools
2. Inoculation: Direct streaking onto CHROMagar™ Candida
3. Incubation:
   • Temperature: 35–37 °C
   • Duration: 20–48 hours
   • Atmosphere: Aerobic
4. Interpretation: Identify colonies based on distinct chromogenic color

🔹 Ordering Information

🔹 Storage & Shelf Life

• Storage Conditions: 2–8 °C, dry and sealed
• Shelf Life: Up to 24 months from manufacturing date
• Prepared Plates: Use within validated period per manufacturer’s guidance

CHROMagar™ Candida offers a fast, accurate, and visually intuitive solution for detecting and identifying major Candida species. Its distinctive color coding, excellent selectivity, and ability to detect mixed populations make it an indispensable tool in clinical laboratories, HIV/AIDS patient care, and infection control screening for immunocompromised individuals.