Performance of methods for identification of yeasts isolated fromblotted water: High prevalence of Candida parapsilosis

Yeasts of the Candida genus can colonize epithelium and mucosa of the vertebrate organisms; howeverthese can cause infection in a broad range of body sites. Candida species also can be found in drinking water and they are considered as a potential indicator of water quality. In this study were evaluated three methods to identify yeasts isolated from blotted water (seminested PCR, culture on CHROMagar Candida medium, and Candifast identification system). For this propose, we used 27 isolates fromblotted water and compared with 22 clinical isolates from vaginal fluid. Seminested PCR has shown specificity and sensitivity for identification of the Candida species. Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis were the prevalent species from vaginal fluid and blotted water, respectively. Culture onCHROMagar and Candifast system had low agreement with snPCR (40.9% and 45.5%, respectively) in the yeasts identification from vaginal fluid. On the other hand, CHROMagar Candida can be used in the presumptive identification of yeasts isolated from bottled water and it had agreement’s percentage of 81.5% with snPCR method.(AU) Leveduras do genero Candida podem colonizar epitelio e mucosa dos organismos vertebrados, entretanto, podem causar infeccoes em varios lugares do corpo. Especies de Candida, tambem, podem ser encontradas em agua e sao consideradas um potencial indicador da qualidade de agua. Neste trabalho, foram avaliados tres metodos de identificacao de leveduras isoladas de agua engarrafada (seminestedPCR, cultura no meio CHROMagar Candida e sistema de identificacao Candifast). Foram utilizados 27 isolados de agua engarrafada e comparados com 22 isolados clinicos de fluido vaginal. Seminested PCR tem mostrado especificidade e sensibilidade para a identificacao das especies de Candida. Candida albicans e Candida parapsilosis foram as especies prevalentes do fluido vaginal e da agua engarrafada,respectivamente. Cultura em CHROMagar e o sistema Candifast tiveram baixa concordância com snPCR(40,9% e 45,5%, respectivamente) na identificacao de leveduras de fluido vaginal. Em contrapartida, CHROMagar Candida pode ser usado em identificacao presuntiva de leveduras de agua engarrafada apresentando concordância de 81,5% com o metodo snPCR.(AU)