[Diagnosis of candida albicans mycosis in gynaecology by the germ tube test (author's transl)].

Experience with the germ tube test for the diagnosis of candida mycosis in gynaecology and dermatology is reported. Candida albicans forms germ tubes in human serum and other culture media at 37 degrees C within 2 to 3 hours. If the initial culture grows yeast, the germ tube test permits the exact identification of the yeast as candida albicans within three to five hours. The specificity of the test is approximately 99%. Of 3270 samples 934 grew yeast and 742 were candida albicans by the germ tube test. 6 samples with a negative germ tube test were identified as candida albicans by the Chlamydospore test. 125 samples showed a candida species, 45 samples showed a torulopsis species and 16 tests identified a trichosporon species. This test is valuable in the routine office practice of gynaecology because of its simplicity and speed.