Morphologies On Dalmau Plate: Lost In Diagnostics Shift

Candida species are commonly regarded as commensal yeasts. But lately, these opportunistic pathogens especially the so-called non-albicans Candida species have come to be acknowledged as significant human infection agents. In both local and systemic fungal infections, we have seen increased prevalence of C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, C. dubliniensis, C. auris and C. krusei, among others. Additionally, some of these species are resistant to antifungal medications.

In the past, conventional techniques based on morphological or physiological traits were employed. But in recent years, laboratory medicine has seen a significant shift from traditional techniques to molecular diagnosis. Despite the rapidity and accuracy of commercial systems and molecular diagnostic techniques, their adoption is still restricted by their high cost.

Yeast morphologies on Dalmau plates are definitely difficult to identify without some practice. But careful examination of morphology can strengthen the identification of frequently seen candida species and more crucially, will alert the microbiologist for presence of uncommon isolates whose incorrect identification could have major clinical implications.

It is true, technological breakthroughs in laboratory medicine have been off putting medical laboratory personnel to acquire traditional mycology skills. The distinctive and one-of-a-kind yeast morphologies seen on the Dalmau plate have since vanished entirely in the diagnostic maze.

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