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HelpTest 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.
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.
Secondary ID
607883Useful 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, PCRSpecimen Type
SwabSpecimen Minimum Volume
See Specimen Required
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Cautions
A negative result does not rule out the presence of Candida auris because the organism may be present at levels below the limit of detection for this assay.
This assay detects C auris nucleic acid and, therefore, does not distinguish between viable, disease-related organisms and nucleic acid persisting from prior or treated infection. Test results should be correlated with patient symptoms and clinical presentation before a definitive diagnosis is made.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
1 to 3 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
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