The incidence of Candida spp. infections has increased in recent years due to
the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and the growing numbers of
immunocompromised individuals. Despite the predominance of Candida albicans,
non-albicans Candida species, such as Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis,
Candida guilliermondii, Candida dubliniensis, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida
krusei are emerging as both, colonizers and pathogens, that can cause superficial
and systemic infections. Currently, there are various methods for identifying yeasts
from clinical samples. Conventional methods for identification of Candida species
are based on morphological and physiological attributes. Although phenotypic
identification methods are cost effective and practical procedures for routine
discrimination of isolates in the clinical microbiology laboratory, the accurate
identification of all isolates. Moreover, given the variability in the phenotypic
characteristics and other irregularities in the taxonomy of the genus Candida,
identification based on traditional methods has become less reliable. Important
progress has been made with various studies on the phenotypic characteristics
of these species using commercially available identification systems. The aim of
this review is to summarize the methods available for identification of Candida
species. The first part of the article presents the characteristics of phenotypic
methods and quick identification techniques, including systems based on the
use of chromogenic media.