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Test ID: CAURS Candida auris Surveillance, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies


Shipping Instructions


Specimen must arrive within 7 days of collection.



Necessary Information


Specimen source is required.



Specimen Required


Supplies: BD Eswab (T853)

Specimen Type: ESwab

Source: Axilla and groin composite

Container/Tube: ESwabs in liquid Amies medium

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Swab transport containers without charcoal must contain a pledget saturated with either Stuart's or Amies liquid media.

2. Swab used for this test cannot be shared with fungal culture. When fungal culture is ordered with this test, send separate swabs for each.


Useful For

Detecting Candida auris from surveillance swabs

 

This test should not be used to determine cure or to monitor response to therapy.

Method Name

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Reporting Name

Candida auris Surveillance, PCR

Specimen Type

Swab

Specimen Minimum Volume

See Specimen Required

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Swab Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  7 days

Clinical Information

Candida auris can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, infections, is often resistant to one or more classes of antifungal drugs, and inappropriate treatment may occur as it can be misidentified in the laboratory. In addition, C auris appears to be more resistant to disinfection than other yeasts, leading to prolonged survival in the environment, increasing the possibility of transmission in hospitals and nursing homes.

 

In December 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that healthcare facilities implement routine surveillance screening of patients who have had an overnight stay in a healthcare facility outside of the US over the past year, particularly if the hospitalization was in a country with confirmed cases of C auris. The CDC also recommended considering screening of patients who have been hospitalized outside of the US and have a documented infection or colonization with a carbapenemase-producing gram-negative bacteria. These patients have frequently been found to have C auris colonization as well. A second group of people for whom screening is recommended includes healthcare workers who have been in close contact with patients who have previously unrecognized C auris infection or colonization.

 

The C auris polymerase chain reaction assay detects and identifies C auris combination groin/axilla surveillance swabs.

Reference Values

Not applicable

Interpretation

A positive result indicates the presence of Candida auris DNA.

 

A negative result indicates the absence of detectable C auris DNA.

Clinical Reference

1. Spivak ES, Hanson KE. Candida auris: an emerging fungal pathogen. J Clin Microbiol. 2018;56(2):e01588-17

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED): Candida auris. CDC; Updated July 31, 2023. Accessed September 22, 2023. Available at: www.cdc.gov/fungal/candida-auris/index.html

3. Navalkele BD, Revankar S, Chandrasekar P. Candida auris: a worrisome, globally emerging pathogen. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2017;15(9):819-827

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

1 to 3 days

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

87481

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
CAURS Candida auris Surveillance, PCR 95765-4

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
SRCSR Specimen Source 31208-2
SCAR C auris PCR, Result 95765-4

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.