Clinical comparison of microscopic and culture techniques in the diagnosis of Candida vaginitis.

This study compares potassium hydroxide (KOH), Microstix-Candida, and Nickerson's medium with Sabouraud agar in the isolation of Candida. Of 204 symptomatic and asymptomatic women, 36 had Sabouraud cultures positive for Candida. The KOH preparation demonstrated both poor sensitivity and poor predictive value in the isolation of Candida, while Microstix-Candida and Nickerson's medium were statistically indistinguishable from Sabouraud agar. The use of either Microstix-Candida or Nickerson's medium is recommended in the evaluation of Candida vaginitis when the KOH preparation is negative.