EVALUATION OF THE MICROSCAN RAPID YEAST IDENTIFICATION PANEL

The MicroScan Rapid Yeast Identification (RYI) panel is a 4-h microdilution system for identification of clinical yeastlike isolates. Its accuracy was evaluated by using 357 isolates encompassing 11 genera and 30 species. The RYI panel identifications were compared with those obtained by the API 20C system assisted with morphological characterization on cornmeal-Tween 80 agar. The panels were read both visually and with the AutoScan-4, a computer-controlled microplate reader. Both the RYI panel and the API 20C system correctly identified 78% of the strains within 4 and 72 h, respectively, with no additional tests. Supplementary tests recommended by the manufacturers made it possible to identify up to 96.6% (AutoScan-4) and 98.9% (API 20C) of the strains. The accuracy of the RYI panel was 99.5% with common strains and 92.1% with less common strains. The RYI panel misidentified 10 or 12 strains and failed to identify 2 or 3 strains, depending on whether it was read with the AutoScan-4 or visually. Errors occurred with one strain of Torulopsis glabrata and the less common yeasts T. candida, Candida lusitaniae, C. lambica, C. rugosa, C. stellatoidea, Cryptococcus albidus, C. laurentii, and C. uniguttulatus. Overall, the RYI panel appears to be a reliable system for identification of the more common clinical yeast isolates.