Leveduras e fungos

Candida albicans

Gram-positive yeasts with pseudohyphae

Identification & Growth

Identification

Germ tube-positive within 2–3 h at 37 °C
Chlamydoconidia on cornmeal agar with Tween 80
CHROMagar: green colonies

Growth Conditions

Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol, 25–30 °C or 35 °C, 24–48 h
White, creamy, smooth colonies

Clinical Significance

Oral and vulvovaginal candidiasis (outpatient), catheter-related candidemia, candiduria

Intrinsic Resistance

No antibacterial has activity; echinocandins and azoles are the relevant drug classes

Bench Alerts

Candidemia requires catheter removal/exchange
Fluconazole is usually active, unlike some other Candida species

Clinical Notes

Clinical presentations

Causes mucocutaneous candidiasis, including oral, esophageal, and vulvovaginal candidiasis, especially in immunocompromised and diabetic patients.
Is the leading cause of candidemia and invasive candidiasis associated with central venous catheters and parenteral nutrition.
Can cause prosthetic valve endocarditis and catheter-associated urinary infection with long-term indwelling catheters.

Specimens and collection

Blood cultures should be collected from peripheral sites and the catheter to investigate candidemia and its possible origin.
Fungal-specific blood culture bottles may increase detection sensitivity on some automated platforms.
Echocardiogram and ophthalmologic examination should be considered in persistent candidemia to exclude endocarditis and endophthalmitis.

Epidemiology and at-risk populations

Remains the most frequently isolated Candida species in candidemia in most global epidemiologic series.
ICU patients with central venous catheters, prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotic use, and parenteral nutrition are at higher risk.
Neutropenic patients and solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients have increased risk of invasive disease.

Resistance and therapeutic implications

Remains predominantly susceptible to fluconazole, though acquired resistance occurs especially after prolonged prior azole exposure.
Echinocandins are recommended as initial empiric therapy in critically ill patients or those with prior azole exposure, per IDSA guidelines.
Antifungal susceptibility testing is recommended for blood isolates or clinical treatment failure.

Bench and reporting notes

Germ tube formation in serum at 37°C is a classic rapid presumptive test to differentiate from non-albicans species.
Mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) identification is the current preferred method for speed and accuracy.
Serum beta-D-glucan detection can aid early diagnosis of invasive candidiasis alongside blood culture.

Sources

Educational decision-support content. It does not replace laboratory validation, current guidelines or review by the responsible professional.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Candida albicans in the lab?

Candida albicans is identified through germ tube-positive within 2–3 h at 37 °c, chlamydoconidia on cornmeal agar with tween 80, chromagar: green colonies.

What are the intrinsic resistances of Candida albicans?

This organism is naturally resistant to no antibacterial has activity; echinocandins and azoles are the relevant drug classes. These drugs should not be reported as susceptible.

Where is Candida albicans commonly found?

It is typically associated with oral and vulvovaginal candidiasis (outpatient), catheter-related candidemia, candiduria.

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