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Detection and Identification of Candida auris from Clinical Skin Swabs
Milena Kordalewska1, David S Perlin2
1Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, USA. milena.kordalewska@hmh-cdi.org.
Abstract:
Candida auris is a recently emerged pathogenic fungus posing an urgent global health threat. Given its propensity to cause nosocomial outbreaks, rapid detection and accurate identification of C. auris have become essential for an effective implementation of infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities. Unfortunately, the requirement of culturing a yeast colony from a patient sample, central for most of the available diagnostic tools, results in substantial delays (several days or longer) in diagnosis. However, nucleic acid-based techniques can deliver accurate diagnostic results within several hours since they are based on analysis of DNA extracted from patient specimen (no need of culture).Here we describe a real-time PCR assay protocol which can be applied for C. auris detection and identification directly from patient swabs.
Insights
Rapidly detect Candida auris using a new real-time PCR assay. This method offers quick and accurate identification of the dangerous fungus directly from patient swabs, improving infection control.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Candida auris is an emerging fungal pathogen causing significant nosocomial outbreaks globally.
- Current diagnostic methods relying on yeast culture lead to delays of several days, hindering timely infection control.
- Accurate and rapid detection is crucial for managing Candida auris in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and describe a real-time PCR assay for the direct detection and identification of Candida auris.
- To provide a faster alternative to traditional culture-based diagnostic methods.
Main Methods:
- Development of a real-time PCR protocol.
- Application of the assay for direct detection from patient swab specimens.
- Analysis of DNA extracted directly from clinical samples, bypassing the need for microbial culture.
Main Results:
- The described real-time PCR assay enables rapid detection of Candida auris.
- Accurate identification of the pathogen is achieved within hours, significantly reducing diagnostic time.
- The protocol is suitable for direct application on patient swabs.
Conclusions:
- This real-time PCR assay offers a rapid and accurate diagnostic solution for Candida auris.
- The method facilitates timely implementation of infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities.
- Direct nucleic acid-based detection bypasses culture limitations, addressing a critical need in clinical microbiology.
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