A Practical Classification of the Monilias

Abstract

A classification for the yeast-like fungi "Monilia" was based on a study of 153 strains from various sources using 19 known type species for comparison. Identification was based on growth in Sabouraud''s broth, blood agar plates, corn meal agar slide cultures, and fermentation of glucose, sucrose, lactose, and maltose. Distinguishing characters of these fungi were sufficiently stable to separate clearly the following species of Monilia: albicans, parapsilosis, candida, krusei, mortifera, and stellatoidea. Serologic studies, while of value, could not be used for routine identification. M. albicans is the only species pathogenic for rabbits.