Specifications:
Application | Clinical microbiology |
Storage Temperature | 2-8°C |
Product Type | Microbial ID System |
Product Brand | Liofilchem |
Product Grade | Microbiology grade |
Simultaneous Identification (ID) and Antifungal Susceptibility Testing (AST) of Yeasts
The Liofilchem® Integral System YEASTS Plus (ref. 71822) is a cutting-edge diagnostic tool that combines identification and antifungal susceptibility testing for the most clinically significant yeasts. This 24-reaction well panel provides a streamlined workflow for laboratories, delivering accurate and reliable results in 48 hours at 36°C.
Key Features
- Comprehensive Testing in a Single Panel:
- Identification (ID):
- 12 wells for biochemical assimilation testing (e.g., glucose, maltose, dulcitol).
- Chromogenic well (No. 13-CHR) for distinguishing Candida albicans (green) and Candida tropicalis (purple).
- Antifungal Susceptibility Testing (AST):
- 10 wells for evaluating sensitivity to antifungal agents, including amphotericin B, fluconazole, and more.
- Identification (ID):
- Dual Testing Workflow:
- Simultaneous evaluation of yeast growth and susceptibility to antifungal agents.
- Results interpreted via color changes in wells.
- Advanced Chromogenic Technology:
- Incorporates proprietary Liofilchem® Chromatic technology in the ID process for enhanced precision in yeast differentiation.
- Efficient Identification via Code System:
- Positive and negative reactions produce a numerical code.
- Identification made using:
- Liofilchem® Codebook.
- Online or PC-based software.
- Broad Compatibility:
- Designed for clinically significant yeasts in infections such as candidiasis and fungemia.
Principle of the Method
Identification (ID):
- Based on the yeast’s ability to assimilate various sugars.
- Color Change Interpretation:
- Red to yellow: Indicates yeast growth.
- Red to orange: Indicates slow yeast growth.
- No color change: Indicates no growth.
- Chromogenic Well (No. 13-CHR):
- Candida albicans: Green.
- Candida tropicalis: Purple.
Antifungal Susceptibility Testing (AST):
- Evaluates yeast response to antifungal agents in wells 14–23.
- Color Change Interpretation:
- Red to yellow: Resistance.
- Red to orange: Intermediate sensitivity.
- No color change: Sensitivity.
Test Procedure
- Preparation:
- Prepare a yeast cell suspension according to protocol.
- Inoculation:
- Inoculate the wells of the Integral System YEASTS Plus panel with the yeast suspension.
- Incubation:
- Incubate at 36°C for 48 hours.
- Result Interpretation:
- ID: Observe and record color changes in wells 1–12 and 13 (chromogenic).
- AST: Record color changes in wells 14–23 to evaluate antifungal resistance or sensitivity.
- Identification Code:
- Calculate a numerical code based on positive/negative reactions.
- Use the codebook or software to identify the yeast species.
Antifungal Agents Tested
Well | Antifungal Agent |
---|---|
14-NY | Amphotericin B |
15-TC | Terbinafine |
16-KT | Ketoconazole |
17-MC | Micafungin |
18-VR | Voriconazole |
19-IT | Itraconazole |
20-CL | Clotrimazole |
21-PC | Posaconazole |
22-FC | Flucytosine |
23-FLU | Fluconazole |
Benefits
Feature | Benefit |
---|---|
Simultaneous ID and AST | Reduces time and labor by integrating two critical tests into one panel. |
Rapid Turnaround | Provides results in 48 hours, accelerating clinical decision-making. |
Advanced Chromogenic Technology | Improves accuracy in identifying key species such as C. albicans. |
Ease of Interpretation | Clear and distinct color changes for straightforward result evaluation. |
Flexible Software Options | Identification codes can be interpreted via codebook or digital software. |
Applications
- Clinical Diagnostics:
- Diagnosis and treatment guidance for yeast-related infections, including candidiasis and fungemia.
- Antifungal Resistance Testing:
- Tracks resistance patterns to key antifungal agents.
- Research and Epidemiology:
- Studies on yeast identification and antifungal susceptibility trends.
Comparison with Other Liofilchem® Systems
System | Target Organisms | Testing Capabilities | Turnaround Time |
---|---|---|---|
YEASTS Plus | Clinically significant yeasts | ID and AST in one panel | 48 hours |
I.S. Enterobacteria | Enterobacteriaceae | ID and AST for Gram-negative bacteria | 24–48 hours |
I.S. Staphylococci | Staphylococcus spp. | ID and AST for Gram-positive bacteria | 24–48 hours |
I.S. Streptococci | Streptococcus spp. | ID and AST for beta-hemolytic streptococci | 24–48 hours |
I.S. Gardenerella | Gardenerella vaginalis | ID and AST for vaginal pathogens | 24–48 hours |
The Liofilchem® Integral System YEASTS Plus and the API 20C AUX are both diagnostic tools designed for the identification of clinically significant yeasts. Below is a detailed comparison of their features:
Feature | Liofilchem® Integral System YEASTS Plus | API 20C AUX |
---|---|---|
Manufacturer | Liofilchem S.r.l. | bioMérieux |
Test Principle | Combines biochemical assimilation tests with antifungal susceptibility testing (AST) in a single 24-well panel. Identification is based on sugar assimilation and chromogenic reactions; AST evaluates yeast response to various antifungals. | Utilizes 20 carbohydrate assimilation tests to identify yeasts based on their ability to assimilate specific carbohydrates. |
Incubation Time | 48 hours at 36°C for both identification and AST results. | 48 to 72 hours at 30°C for identification results. |
Identification Method | Results interpreted through color changes in wells, leading to a numerical code that is cross-referenced with a codebook or software for species identification. | Results interpreted by assessing turbidity in wells, generating a profile number matched against a database for species identification. |
Antifungal Susceptibility Testing | Yes; includes wells with antimycotics to assess yeast susceptibility to antifungal agents. | No; focuses solely on yeast identification without susceptibility testing. |
Chromogenic Technology | Incorporates a chromogenic well (No. 13-CHR) for distinguishing Candida albicans (green) and Candida tropicalis (purple). | Does not include chromogenic substrates; relies on carbohydrate assimilation patterns. |
Ease of Use | Offers simultaneous identification and AST in one panel, reducing hands-on time and simplifying workflow. | Requires separate procedures for identification and susceptibility testing, potentially increasing workload. |
Result Interpretation | Clear color changes facilitate straightforward interpretation; software available for result analysis. | Interpretation based on turbidity can be subjective; requires careful comparison with reference profiles. |
Comprehensive Testing | Provides both identification and antifungal susceptibility data, offering a complete diagnostic profile in a single test. | Limited to identification; additional tests needed for antifungal susceptibility information. |
In summary, the Liofilchem® Integral System YEASTS Plus offers a more integrated approach by combining yeast identification with antifungal susceptibility testing in a single panel, utilizing both biochemical and chromogenic methods for enhanced accuracy. In contrast, the API 20C AUX focuses solely on yeast identification through carbohydrate assimilation tests, requiring additional procedures for susceptibility testing.
References
- Murray et al., Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 8th Edition (2003).
- Bayley and Scott, Diagnostic Microbiology, 7th Edition (1986).
- Larone, Medically Important Fungi: A Guide to Identification, 2nd Edition (1987).
- Van der Walt et al., The Yeasts, 3rd Edition (1984).
- Barchiesi et al., J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 43.295-299 (1999).
- NCCLS, Reference Method for Broth Dilution Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Yeasts, M27-A2 (2002).
- Pack Size: for 20 Tests for 4 Tests