Question
| A. |
Pseudohyphae are seen |
| B. |
Produces chlamydospores |
| C. |
It is a true mould |
| D. |
It forms germ tubes in human serum |
|
Correct Answer » C Explanation |
 |
Candida albicans is polymorphic and can exist in multiple forms:
1. Budding Yeast Cells
-
Oval or round cells.
-
Reproduce by budding.
-
Seen in culture and in mucosal infections.
-
Grow rapidly on simple media at 25–37°C.
This is the basic vegetative form.
2. Pseudohyphae
-
Elongated budding yeast cells that remain attached.
-
Appear as chains of cells with constrictions at the septa.
-
Commonly seen in tissue infections.
-
Important diagnostic clue in microscopy.
Pseudohyphae help tissue invasion.
3. True Hyphae (Germ Tubes)
-
Long, continuous filamentous structures without constrictions at the origin.
-
Formed when Candida is incubated in human serum at 37°C for 1–2 hours.
-
This is called the Germ Tube Test (Reynolds–Braude phenomenon).
-
Used for rapid identification of Candida albicans.
Presence of germ tubes differentiates C. albicans from most other Candida species.
4. Chlamydospores
-
Thick-walled, large spores.
-
Formed on cornmeal agar.
-
Serve as a characteristic laboratory identification feature.
-
Not typically seen in tissue but important for culture diagnosis.
Candida is not a Mould
-
Moulds form extensive true hyphae and reproduce by spores.
-
Candida is primarily a yeast-like fungus.
-
Though it forms hyphae, it does not have a true mould phase like dermatophytes or Aspergillus.