[First isolation de Candida auris in Chile]

María Victoria Moreno1, María Elvira Simian2, Javier Villarroel3

  • 1Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital del Salvador, Santiago, Chile.

Insights

A multi-drug-resistant fungus, Candida auris, was identified in Santiago from a patient returning from India. This emerging pathogen shows resistance to fluconazole, posing a significant healthcare challenge.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungus causing global hospital-associated infections.
  • Simultaneous outbreaks and laboratory misidentification complicate C. auris infection management.
  • Rarely observed in non-albicans Candida species, C. auris presents challenges in eradication and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the first isolation of Candida auris in Santiago, Chile.
  • To characterize the antimicrobial resistance profile of the isolated C. auris strain.
  • To highlight the clinical and epidemiological significance of C. auris emergence.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of C. auris from a patient's tissue culture.
  • Identification using VITEK® 2 Compact system.
  • Confirmation through MALDI-TOF MS and DNA sequence analysis.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Main Results:

  • The first C. auris strain in Santiago was isolated from a patient with diabetic foot complications, who had traveled from India.
  • The isolate was identified using VITEK® 2 Compact, MALDI-TOF MS, and DNA sequencing.
  • The C. auris strain exhibited resistance to fluconazole, with susceptibility to amphotericin B and caspofungin.

Conclusions:

  • The emergence of C. auris in new geographical locations is a growing concern.
  • Accurate and rapid identification methods are crucial for managing C. auris infections.
  • The unclear transmission modes within healthcare settings necessitate further investigation and enhanced infection control measures.