Comparative study for identification of Candida albicans with germ tube test in human serum and plasma

The aim of the study was to compare the technique of germ tube in human serum and plasma for the identification of Candida albicans. A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted at La Fe Clinic and the institute "Instituto Nacional de Salud del Nio". Prior informed consent, we obtained plasma samples (voluntary donation) and serum (vein removal) of an apparently healthy donor, without consumption of antifungals, respecting the norms of institutions, quality standards and the inclusion criteria. The samples were stored in cryovials to 20C until processing; germ tube technique was performed under a conventional method. C. albicans ATCC 14053 was used as a control. A total of 150 tests germ tube technique in plasma and 150 trials in human serum were included for the identification of C. albicans. The sensitivity, spececifity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 100%, 99.3%, 99.3%, 100 %, respectively ( = .99, CI 95%: range: 96-1.01). This study allowed us to demonstrate that the technique of germ tube in human plasma is comparable with the technique of germ tube in human serum for the identification of C. albicans showing high performance and diagnostic agreement.