CHROMagar™ Candida Plus is the first chromogenic isolation medium for the detection and differentiation of C. auris in addition to other major clinical Candida spp. such as C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata. Candida spp. are yeasts involved in various infections called Candidiasis. These infections can be severe with significant morbidity in nosocomial infections or in immunocompromised patients. Although C. albicans is still the main species involved, the use of antifungal agents has given rise to other species such as C. tropicalis, C. krusei and C. glabrata. In 2016, WHO added C. auris to this list with over 90 % of strains resistant to fluconazole.

CHROMagar™ Candida Plus allows for the recognition of minor candida species in a mixed population containing the predominant species, thereby allowing patient specific treatment plans to be formulated at the earliest possible opportunity.

Most bacterial species will be inhibited due to the inclusion of the selective mix:
C. albicans Green colonies
C. tropicalis Metallic blue colonies
C. glabrata Mauve to pink colonies
C. auris Light blue colonies with blue halo
E. coli Inhibited

Limitations
The final identification must be confirmed by biochemical tests or by mass spectrophotometry (eg MALDI-TOF).
These can be done directly from the suspicious colonies observed on the medium.