An Emerging Resistant Organism
Candida auris (also called C. auris) is a fungus that causes serious infections. Facilities/laboratories suspecting C. auris should contact the state health department immediately. The State HAI team will help facilitate isolate submission to the Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network (ARLN) in Minnesota for confirmation.
- C. auris can spread from one patient to another in hospitals and nursing homes.
- The most common symptoms of invasive Candida infection are fever and chills that do not improve after antibiotic treatment for a suspected bacterial infection.
- Most people who get serious C. auris infections are already sick from other medical conditions so it can be difficult to know if someone has a C. auris infection. Only a laboratory test can diagnose C. auris infection.
- Healthcare facilities or laboratories that suspect they have a patient with C. auris infection should contact state or local public health authorities immediately for guidance.
- Although the risk of C. auris infection in otherwise healthy people is low, patients and their family members should clean their hands thoroughly before and after touching each other or the area around the patient, particularly when leaving a patient's room.
- Patients with C. auris infection, their family members and other close contacts, public health officials, laboratory staff, and healthcare personnel can all help stop it from spreading.
- For more information on this organism, visit CDC link https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/candida-auris/index.html.
What to report/notify
A rise in infections caused by unidentified types of Candida in a unit caring for patients, including more cases of Candida found in urine samples, should raise concerns about the possibility of C. auris.
Why is Candida auris a problem?
- It can cause serious infections.
- It is often resistant to medicines, making it difficult to treat.
- It is becoming more common.
- It is difficult to identify by routine lab tests.
- It can spread in hospitals and nursing homes.
Who is at risk?
- Patients with extensive exposure to ventilator units skilled nursing facilities and long-term acute care hospitals
- Patients who had an overnight stay in a healthcare facility outside the United States in the previous one year, especially if in a country with documented C. auris transmission.
- Other risk factors for C. auris infection are similar to those for invasive infection with other Candida species and include central venous catheter use, and recent broad-spectrum antibiotic or antifungal use.
Resources
Patients and Family Members (Healthcare professional may use this information if patients/family members are interested to learn more about Candida auris:
General information
Infection Preventionists
Sampling
Laboratory Staff