Differentiation of Candida dubliniensis from Candida albicans on Pal's agar

Production of a hyphal fringe around colonies grown on Pal's agar (sunflower seed agar) at 30degreesC for 48 to 72 h provides a simple means of discriminating between isolates of C. dubliniensis and C. albicans with 100% accuracy. Of 128 C. dubliniensis isolates tested on this medium, all produced a hyphal fringe. In contrast, none of the 124 C. albicans isolates tested produced a hyphal fringe. Pal's medium has the added advantage of being prepared from inexpensive, readily available seeds.