Yeast-Like Fungi (YLF) Flashcards
List various lab methods for identifying yeast isolates
- Size and morphology
- Germ tube
- Fermentation (anaerobic)
- Assimilation (aerobic)
- Morphology on special media (e.g., pseudohyphae on cornmeal)
- CHROMagar
- Urease production
- India ink
- Latex agglutination
Name the test
- 2-3 hour incubation in rabbit plasma
Germ tube
Principle of CHROMagar
Chromogenic (color-producing) substrates; used to ID Candida spp
Fermentation test
- Requires GAS PRODUCTION
- Tubes w/ single CHO (“purple broth sugars”) w/ Durham tube and oil on the surface
Fermentation test
- Pos/Neg result
- Pos: acid production and gas production
- Neg: either no acid or gas production OR acid production but no gas production
Assimilation test
CHOs utilized as sole carbon source
Describe Candida albicans morphology on cornmeal agar
Pseudohyphae and chlamydoconidia (not always present)
Describe Candida tropicalis morphology on cornmeal agar
Pseudohyphae
- Straight, long, graceful
- “Starburst”
- Blastoconidia along side of pseudohyphae
Describe Candida krusei morphology on cornmeal agar
Elongated blastoconidia (logs on a stream)
Describe Candida parapsilosis morphology on cornmeal agar
Pseudohyphae
- Crooked, tangled appearance
Describe Geotrichum morphology on cornmeal agar
Arthroconidia present
Describe Trichosporan morphology on cornmeal agar
Oval arthroconidia present
List the yeast that DO NOT produce pseudohyphae on cornmeal agar
- Cryptococcus
- Candida glabrata
- Rhodotorula
- Saccharomyces
Which yeast are urease positive?
- Cryptococcus (all species)
- Trichosporon
- Rhodotorula
Which yeast are melanin on birdseed agar?
Cryptococcus neoformans
Which yeast are germ tube positive?
Candida albicans/dubliniensis