CHLAMYDOSPORE AGAR

Description

Candida albicans is a diploid sexual fungus (a form of yeast), and the causitive agent of opportunistic oral and vaginal infections in humans. C. albicans is a commensal of skin, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract. However, under certain conditions overgrowth of this results into oesopharyngeal candidiasis, vulvovaginal candidiasis and candidemia. Chlamydospores formation is the most differential characteristic of C. albicans. Chlamydospore Agar was specially designed for the differentiation of C.albicans from other species on the basis of chlamydospores formation. It is prepared according to the formula of Nickerson and Mankowsh. Test for chlamydospores: Scratch cut mark like X onto the agar surface with inoculum using sterile needle. Aseptically place an alcohol-flamed and cooled cover slip onto the agar surface over the intersecting lines of the cut marks of X. Incubate plates at 20-25?C for 2-6 days. Temperature should not be higher than 25?C since it will not permit chlamydospore formation. Observe the plates under low power of microscope. After incubation, most strains of C.albicans and C.stellatoide will form typical chlamydospores. Chlamydospores will be seen along the edge of the cover slip. Chlamydospores are round, thick walled, blue coloured and at the terminal ends of hyphae. Some C.albicans strains may lose their ability to produce chlamydospores after repeated subculturing.