Identification of Cryptococcus neoformans isolates using Staib agar without creatinine

• Main Authors: Nardelli Vanessa, Pérez Celina, Mata-Essayag Sofía, Colella María Teresa, Roselló Arantza, Hartung de Capriles Claudia, Landaeta María Eugenia, Olaizola Carolina, Magaldi, Sylvia
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Universidad del Zulia,Facultad de Medicina,Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Tropicales 2005
• Subjects: Staib agar; Guizotia abyssinica; Cryptococcus neoformans; creatinine; Agar Staib; creatinina; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Arctic; Christensen
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/0974a7c2ee8e4d83b829cc46f47cfa79

Abstract: In mycology, culture is the best way to demonstrate and identify pathogenic fungi. Many kinds of media have been developed and modified, using fungal biochemical properties to recognize them. The most common media are Sabouraud, Malt Agar, Cornmeal agar, Potato-dextrose agar, and Staib agar. Staib agar has been widely used for identification of yeasts from the genus Cryptococcus and other fungi. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of Staib agar, and of a modified Staib medium without creatinine, in the isolation and identification of fungi. Forty-six Cryptococcus neoformans strains plus one control strain was identified by morphological and biochemical criteria, using urease test (Christensen urea agar) and culture in Sablac medium. The strains were then transferred into standard Staib and Staib without creatinine agar plates. Morphological features and phenoloxidase production were evaluated after one-week incubation at room temperature (26-28°C). Culture in standard and modified Staib agar yielded brown color colonies (phenoloxidase production) in both media in 43 (91.5%) cases. Staib agar without creatinine is an excellent medium for identification of C. neoformans, with the advantage of a low cost and easy preparation. Resumen: En micología, el cultivo es la mejor manera de realizar el diagnóstico definitivo de una micosis. Muchos tipos de medios han sido desarrollados y modificados para tal fin, utilizando las propiedades bioquímicas de los hongos para reconocerlos. Los medios más comunes son Sabouraud, agar Malta, agar maíz, agar Papa-dextrosa, y agar Staib. Este último ha sido ampliamente usado para la identificación de levaduras del género Cryptococcus y en otros hongos. El objetivo de este estudio fue demostrar la utilidad del agar Staib y de un medio de Staib modificado, sin creatinina, en el aislamiento e identificación de hongos patógenos. Cuarenta y seis aislados de Cryptococcus neoformans más un control fueron identificados por criterios morfológicos y bioquímicos, ...