The genus Candida contains ubiquitous species, widespread in various ecological niches. Out of the opportunistic Candida species, the most common agent infecting the immunodeficient human body is Candida albicans, causing superficial and deep infections. This species is also involved in nosocomial infections.

Aim. The phenotypic identification and initiation of a molecular model to identify C. albicans strains isolated from nosocomial infections between 2005 and 2007.

Material and method. Fifteen C. albicans strains isolated from sputum, blood culture, bronchial secretions and wounds were identified by phenotypic methods through cultivation on specific growth media, macroscopic and microscopic culture examination, germ tube test, chlamydospores’ formation, as well as biochemical commercial kits and/or authomatic methods: Api 20C AUX, ID32C, Vitek 2. The isolation and purification of the chromosomal DNA was performed using a technique optimized according to Ausubel (1995). The purity and integrity of DNA extracts was checked up by nucleic acid electrophoresis and spectrophotometric analysis; 5,8S rDNA was amplified and amplification products digested with Msp I restriction enzyme.

Results. It was found that 13 out of the 15 strains identified as C. albicans by phenotypic methods revealed identical restriction patterns to the positive control, Candida albicans ATCC 10231. The other two strains exhibited different restriction patterns as compared to the control strain.

Discussions. These results are pleading for the need of molecular methods for certain identification of Candida strains.