Candida auris screening of high-risk patients: a descriptive comparison of 2 strategies

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Microbiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen.
• High-risk patients are susceptible to Candida auris colonization and infection.
• Effective screening strategies are crucial for controlling Candida auris transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of two Candida auris screening strategies.
• To evaluate positivity rates between point prevalence surveys and admission screening.
• To inform infection prevention approaches for Candida auris in healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of positivity rates between point prevalence survey (PPS) and admission screening.
• Analysis of screening data from high-risk patient populations.
• Statistical analysis to determine the significance of observed differences.

Main Results:

• Positivity rates for PPS and admission screening were similar (3.9% vs. 3.4%, P=1.00).
• Approximately 3% of high-risk patients were found to be colonized with Candida auris.
• No statistically significant difference was observed between the two screening methods.

Conclusions:

• Both PPS and admission screening are comparable in identifying Candida auris colonization.
• The consistent colonization rate highlights the need for universal infection prevention measures.
• A comprehensive approach is necessary to manage Candida auris in high-risk patient populations.