In a recent post, KSROSTAND at BMG.BHS.UAB.EDU asked about a simple test for
Candida vs Saccharomyces. Simple commercial identification methods are
available from a variety of sources. Probably the most cost-effective and
efficient for your purpose might be the simple germ-tube test (the hospital
will probably have a procedure for you). The only problem is that Candida
albicans is positive and other Candida species (and all other yeasts) are
negative. Outside of the commercial "kit" tests, I'm not sure how one would
accurately distinguish the two. In general, all Candida species produce
pseudohyphae (usually with blastoconidia attached) and Saccharomyces do so
less frequently. Saccharomyces produce ascospores when grown on Fowell
acetate agar for 2-5 days at room temperature. Candida only rarely produce
ascospores.
