Killer system: a simple method for differentiating Candida albicans strains

Abstract

The killer effect of 37 spp. of Candida, Cryptococcus, Hansenula, Pichia, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces and Trichosporon on 100 Candida albicans isolates of human and animal origin was studied. All of the C. albicans cultures were sensitive to .ltoreq. 1 killer yeasts. The factors affecting the killer phenomenon on C. albicans were investigated for realizing a simple system for the differentiation of the 100 C. albicans isolates. By using this system, it was possible to differentiate up to 512 isolates of C. albicans according to their susceptibility to the killer effect of 9 selected killer yeasts. The use of this method as an epidemiological marker in presumptive nosocomial infections due to C. albicans is also reported.