WALTHAM, Mass. — Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced two new color-based (chromogenic) culture media products designed to help clinical laboratories detect and differentiate Candida infections more quickly, including the drug-resistant pathogen Candida auris.
The company announced the launch of Thermo Scientific Brilliance Candida 2 Agar and Spectra Candida Agar, which are intended to enable faster identification of clinically important Candida species directly from primary culture. Candida auris has emerged as a growing global antimicrobial resistance threat, often resistant to multiple antifungal treatments, capable of spreading rapidly in healthcare settings, and associated with serious illness and high mortality rates.
Invasive fungal infections are placing increasing pressure on healthcare systems worldwide, in part due to the rapid spread of Candida auris. As screening and surveillance programs expand, clinical microbiology laboratories are seeking faster and more reliable tools to identify infections and support infection prevention and control efforts.
According to Thermo Fisher, the new media enable clear, species-specific chromogenic reactions that allow laboratories to visually differentiate the most clinically relevant Candida species, including direct identification of Candida auris, with shorter incubation times compared to conventional culture methods. Earlier detection can support timely clinical decisions, guide appropriate antifungal therapy, and help initiate rapid infection control measures during routine screening and outbreak investigations.
“As new pathogens emerge that threaten patients and healthcare settings, it’s increasingly important that healthcare providers have effective screening strategies that don’t add complexity to routine laboratory workflows,” said Chris Armstrong, president of the microbiology business at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “This new media delivers clear visual differentiation and faster results, helping laboratories respond confidently to emerging fungal threats and strengthening frontline defences against antimicrobial resistance, while maintaining efficiency and consistency.”
Thermo Fisher said Brilliance Candida 2 Agar and Spectra Candida Agar combine broad species differentiation with practical incubation and storage conditions, making them suitable for laboratories of varying sizes facing growing testing demands. The company said the products are designed to support antimicrobial resistance surveillance, outbreak preparedness, infection prevention efforts, and overall Candida diagnostics workflows.
