A COMPARATIVE TAXONOMIC STUDY ON TWO FORMS OF CANDIDA PARAPSILOSIS (ASHFORD) LANGERON ET TALICE

Abstract

A comparative study was made on two forms of Candida parapsilosis. From the reciprocal absorption experiment of antiserum for heated cells of these yeasts, and gel diffusion precipitation of mannans, the two forms were assumed to possess a small amount of respectively specific antigens in addition to antigens common to both. Factor antiserum 24 prepared from antiserum for Saccharomyces rosei agglutinated C. parapsilosis form I but not form II, and is considered to be useful for clear-cut discrimination of the two forms. Proton magnetic resonance spectrum of mannans also demonstrated the difference of the two forms. Further, C. parapsilosis assimilated L-arabinose, did not excrete excess amount of riboflavin into synthetic media, and did not require thiamine. Since C. parapsilosis form II was found to correspond to the imperfect form of Lodderomyces elongisporus, these characteristics are useful for the discrimination of the imperfect form of L. elongisporus from C. parapsilosis.