[A new aid in the diagnosis of fungi: Microstix - Candida test strips (author's transl)].

Microstix test strips are a new aid in the diagnosis of yeasts which are easy to handle and can be used universally. Observations on clinical material (a total of over 1200 test strips inoculated) involving 777 inoculated Microstix with material from 6 different nursing areas show that altogether 36% postive findings, only 5.6% unspecifically postive (problem organisms and molds) and only 1.5% negative results were demonstrable with positive cultures of fungi on the control media. Positive results can already be expected after 12-24 hours culture. The test strips are not absolutely yeastspecific, since problem organisms and molds may cause a brown discoloration. False negative findings are occasionally simulated by C. tropicalis and C. mycoderma.