What is commonly tested to differentiate Candida species?

Germ tube formation is a key characteristic used to differentiate between Candida species, particularly to identify Candida albicans from other non-albicans species. When cultured in serum or human plasma, C. albicans can form germ tubes, which are essentially the early stages of hyphae formation. This test is significant because it highlights the unique growth pattern of C. albicans, allowing for a straightforward differentiation from other Candida species that do not form germ tubes.

In evaluating other options, colony color can offer some insights into species identification but is not as definitive as germ tube formation, as various Candida species may produce similar colonies on certain media. Urease production is primarily associated with other types of fungi and is not a distinguishing factor for Candida species in general. Complete hemolysis is more relevant in the classification of bacteria, particularly streptococci, rather than fungi like Candida. Therefore, germ tube formation serves as a reliable and specific method for differentiating C. albicans from other Candida species in laboratory settings.