[2] Cultured colonies are cream to pale pink, the majority smooth with a mucoid appearance.

[3] Naganishia albida is very similar to Cryptococcus neoformans, but can be differentiated because it is phenol oxidase-negative, and, when grown on Niger or birdseed agar, C. neoformans produces melanin, causing the cells to become brown, while N. albida cells stay cream.

[4] Microscopically, N. albida yeasts are ovoid and when viewed with India ink, a capsule is apparent.

N. albida is able to use glucose, citric acid, maltose, sucrose, trehalose, salicin, cellobiose, and inositol, as well as many other compounds, as sole carbon sources.

The administration of amphotericin B in animals has been successful, but in humans, the treatment usually has poor results.