Vol. 1, Issue 2 ‣ May 2024
|
|
|
Pan-Resistant Candida auris
|
|
|
|
|
Candida auris was first described in 2009 and was first reported in the United States in 2016.¹ It is a member of a growing group of yeasts that can cause candidiasis, yeast infections that are normally of little consequence, and treatable through a number of anti-fungal medications. Nosocomial candidiasis, however, can easily infect ports installed in the body for medical reasons, and then progress to candidemia, a potentially deadly blood infection.² C. auris is remarkable in that it is multi-drug-pan-resistant and difficult to identify without specific technologies that are not readily available in a clinical setting, namely PCR and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.³
|
|
|
In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sounded the alarm.
C. auris cases rose by more than 60% in 2020 as compared to 2019. Acute care hospitals saw more outbreaks of C. auris in 2020 than previous years, especially in COVID-19 units. Post-acute care facilities were heavily impacted by C. auris during the pandemic.⁴
The CDC attributes the rise in C. auris cases during the height of the pandemic to the result of staffing and supply shortages, the increased number of seriously ill patients, and changes in infection prevention and control practices. The CDC encourages all U.S. laboratories that identify C. auris to notify their state or local public health authorities. CDC’s AR Lab Network is available for assistance with C. auris identification and screening, to help improve detection and response to C. auris nationwide.⁵
In 2021, Hardy Diagnostics introduced it’s novel chromogenic agar plate to detect and easily identify C. auris. Hardy Diagnostics' HardyCHROM™ Candida + auris chromogenic agar plate allows laboratories to easily identify C. auris with a color read out of teal to teal-green colonies with a distinct “bullseye” and shows a unique fluorogenic reaction under UV light. This medium will also identify C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. albicans, and C. krusei. Colonies of C. glabrata can be subbed directly to Rapid Trehalose Fermentation Broth or GlabrataQuick for confirmation. UC Irvine presented a scientific poster at ASM Microbe. We invite you to view the poster here.
Additionally, in 2023, Hardy Diagnostics’ HardyDisk™ AST Rezafungin was FDA cleared. HardyDisk™ AST’s are impregnated paper disks used for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST); also known as disk diffusion or Kirby-Bauer testing. This echinocandin antifungal agent aimed at combatting invasive fungal infections marks the first new treatment option approved for individuals with candidemia and invasive candidiasis in over ten years.
|
|
|
Product Spotlight: Discover HardyCHROM™ Candida + auris
|
|
|
HardyCHROM™ Candida + auris is your solution to the growing concern of Candida auris (C. auris) infections.
|
Recognized as an Urgent Threat by the CDC, C. auris is resistant to most antifungal drugs and poses significant risks, especially to patients with compromised immune systems.
|
|
|
|
Our innovative petri plate showcases C. auris colonies with a unique teal to teal-green "bullseye" center, ensuring accurate identification. Additionally, this medium distinguishes other prevalent Candida species, providing a comprehensive approach to fungal diagnostics. Equip your lab with HardyCHROM™ Candida + auris to stay ahead in identifying this challenging pathogen.
|
|
|
Also Available: HardyDisk™ Rezafungin, 5µg, (RZF5)
|
|
|
|
|
Rezafungin is a new antifungal agent that combats invasive fungal infections. This marks the first new treatment option approved for individuals with candidemia and invasive candidiasis in over ten years!
HardyDisk™ AST’s are impregnated paper disks used for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST); also known as disk diffusion or Kirby-Bauer testing.
|
|
|
Hardy Diagnostics is looking forward to being with you at ASM-Microbe in Atlanta in June. We will be sharing our latest releases, highly sought after products, and will have some special giveaways that will be announced on our social channels beginning in June. Make sure to keep in touch, so you won’t miss out!
|
|
|
|
Quick Facts about Candida auris
|
|
|
Most Candida auris is resistant to at least one antifungal, making it challenging to treat.
|
|
Spread in Healthcare Settings
|
The fungus can rapidly spread among patients in hospitals and nursing homes, posing a significant risk of outbreaks.
|
|
|
People can carry Candida auris on their bodies without symptoms, a condition known as colonization, which can contribute to its spread.
|
|
The majority of Candida auris infections occur in patients with underlying medical issues, such as frequent hospitalizations, weakened immune systems, and the use of medical devices.
|
|
|
|
What do you see in the intersecting lines?
|
|
|
Video Spotlight: HardyCHROM™
Candida + auris
|
View our most-watched videos about HardyCHROM™ Candida + auris
|
|
|
|
|
In this video, we will explain the procedure for reading fluorescence in target organism colonies growing on HardyCHROM™ Candida + auris as an example. We will also name the common pitfalls in reading fluorescence.
Learn more: https://hardydiagnostics.com/g343
|
|
|
|
|
Candida auris (C. auris) is an emerging fungus. Classified as an urgent threat by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), C. auris has caused much global concern.
Learn more: https://hardydiagnostics.com/g343
|
|
|
|
|
Megan Maloney Roesner, an award-winning journalist, marketer, and current Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Marketing Product Manager at Hardy Diagnostics, brings over 20 years of experience in brand management, healthcare marketing, and communications to her role:
"Welcome back to Clinical MICRObits! In this issue, we shed light on the challenges and advancements surrounding Candida auris, a pan-resistant yeast making waves in clinical microbiology. Discover how Hardy Diagnostics is pioneering solutions with our innovative HardyCHROM™ Candida + auris chromogenic agar plate and the recent FDA clearance of HardyDisk™ AST Rezafungin. Stay tuned for more timely insights and product updates to support your laboratory needs."
If you have any suggestions for content, a comment, or a question, please contact Megan here.
|
|
|
|
|
Subscribe now to MicroBytes, the monthly newsletter crafted by microbiologists for microbiologists, packed with thought-provoking articles, witty comics, historical heroes, pun-filled fun, brain teasers, tutorial videos, featured products, and more!
|
|
|
"A Culture of Service"
Hardy Diagnostics, 1430 West McCoy Lane, Santa Maria, CA, 93455, USA, +1.800.266.2222
|
|
|
|
