Candida auris: An Overview of How to Screen, Detect, Test and Control This Emerging Pathogen

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant yeast causing invasive infections globally, particularly in critically ill patients.
• Its ease of spread, environmental persistence, and antifungal resistance present significant challenges for infection control and patient management.
• Accurate and early identification of Candida auris colonization is vital for preventing transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of critical aspects related to Candida auris.
• To highlight challenges in laboratory identification and susceptibility profiling.
• To inform strategies for containing the spread of Candida auris infections.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on Candida auris.
• Discussion of sample collection techniques.
• Evaluation of culture-dependent and independent identification methods.
• Analysis of antifungal susceptibility profiling.

Main Results:

• Candida auris is frequently misidentified as related pathogens, complicating diagnosis.
• Effective containment relies on precise laboratory identification and susceptibility testing.
• Environmental persistence and multidrug resistance underscore the need for stringent infection control.

Conclusions:

• Early and accurate identification of Candida auris is essential for effective infection control.
• Standardized laboratory methods are needed to overcome identification challenges.
• Understanding susceptibility profiles is key to guiding antifungal therapy and managing outbreaks.