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Development and Validation of a Direct Colony Real-Time PCR for Rapid and Specific Candida auris Detection
Takashi Umeyama1, Tsuguto Fujimoto1, Jun Ishikawa1
1Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan Institute for Health Security.
Medical Mycology Journal
|March 1, 2026
Summary
A new real-time PCR assay rapidly identifies Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant fungus, directly from colonies without DNA extraction. This breakthrough aids timely diagnosis and infection control for this emerging pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen.
- Limited identification methods pose diagnostic and infection control challenges.
- Rapid and accurate detection is crucial for patient care and outbreak management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a rapid, specific, and direct colony real-time PCR assay for Candida auris identification.
- To overcome limitations of existing diagnostic methodologies.
- To establish a standardized surveillance system for Candida auris.
Main Methods:
- Developed species-specific primers using comparative genomics.
- Validated a real-time PCR assay for direct identification from cultured colonies.
- Assessed specificity against non-auris Candida species and sensitivity.
Main Results:
- The optimized assay identified Candida auris directly from colonies within two hours.
- Demonstrated high specificity against eight other Candida species.
- Achieved sensitivity as low as 100 cells/reaction, suitable for routine testing.
Conclusions:
- The developed real-time PCR assay offers a rapid, cost-effective alternative to conventional methods.
- This assay significantly reduces turnaround time for Candida auris detection.
- Standardized primer distribution supports national surveillance and improves patient management.
