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Candida auris is an emerging species of pathogenic fungus/yeast that has caused outbreaks in healthcare settings in the United States. This organism is often resistant to most common antifungal drugs, which makes infections difficult to treat and can lead to fatalities. Effective diagnostic tools and surveillance practices will help to identify and minimize outbreaks.1
ARUP Laboratories offers a molecular screening test, Candida auris by PCR (3006370).
Molecular testing offers a fast and effective tool to screen individuals who may be colonized with Candida auris but don’t have an invasive infection. This assay can help healthcare facilities’ surveillance programs to identify risk and take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of C. auris.
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated: October 10, 2023
ARUP’s Tests for Candida auris
| 3006370 | Candida auris by PCR This is the preferred test to rule out C. auris colonization due to its high sensitivity. |
Culture-based tests are recommended to obtain an isolate for public health and/or susceptibility testing when indicated.
| 3016815 | Candida auris Surveillance Culture Use to culture C. auris from a skin specimen. |
| 0060149 | Fungal Culture Use to culture C. auris in a specimen other than skin. If C. auris is suspected, a fungal culture is indicated, and if the source of the culture is a nonsterile site (e.g., urine or respiratory sources), add an order comment specifically requesting that Candida auris be ruled out. Example order comment: “Specimen source ______. Rule out Candida auris.” This comment will help to ensure that yeast resembling Candida detected from a nonsterile site will be identified to the species level. |
| Acceptable specimens |
*For fluid specimens, 1 mL (minimum, 0.5 mL) is required. |
| Stability | Ambient: 14 days; refrigerated: 14 days; frozen: 14 days |
| Turnaround time | 1–3 days |
| NY approval | Pending |
Refer to the laboratory test directory for Candida auris Surveillance Culture (3016815) specimen requirements.
Culture-based tests are recommended to obtain an isolate from skin sources for public health and/or susceptibility testing when indicated. The preferred test to rule out C. auris colonization is Candida auris by PCR (3006370) due to its high sensitivity.
Refer to the laboratory test directory for Fungal Culture (0060149) specimen requirements.
Culture-based tests are not the preferred method to rule out Candida auris. The preferred test to rule out C. auris colonization is Candida auris by PCR (3006370) due to its high sensitivity.
If Fungal Culture (0060149) is indicated, please refer to the information below:
Please provide the specimen source in the order comments.
Example order comment: “Specimen source ______. Rule out Candida auris.”
If the identification of an actively growing yeast that is suspected to be Candida auris is indicated, order Fungal (Mold/Yeast) Identification (0060163).
Candida auris is a reportable organism. ARUP will report as required by state laws and regulations; this meets our reporting requirements as the performing laboratory. This does not cover reporting that may or may not be required by other healthcare providers. ARUP does not maintain a list of reporting requirements for providers, so we are not able to provide guidance on provider/client reporting.
Susceptibility Testing
Drug resistance is a known issue associated with Candida auris infections. Susceptibility testing should be considered when an invasive infection is suspected. Susceptibility testing is not generally indicated for patients colonized with C. auris.
If susceptibility testing is indicated, please order Antimicrobial Susceptibility - Fungal (Yeasts and Molds) (2009257). Please indicate the source of the isolate.
Candida auris culture and susceptibility testing cannot be added directly onto a specimen previously tested for Candida auris by PCR (3006370). The specimen requirements for these tests are different.
If susceptibility testing is indicated and an actively growing isolate of C. auris is available, please order Antimicrobial Susceptibility - Fungal (Yeasts and Molds) (2009257). Please indicate the source of the isolate. Refer to the laboratory test directory for specimen requirements and additional information.
If an isolate is not available, you will need to order Candida auris Surveillance Culture (3016815) for skin sources or Fungal Culture (0060149) for specimen sources other than skin and the Antimicrobial Susceptibility - Fungal (Yeasts and Molds) (2009257) assay. Recollect the specimen from the site of interest, according to the specimen collection requirements listed in our laboratory test directory for Candida auris Surveillance Culture (3016815) or Fungal Culture (0060149)
If an isolate is not available, you will need to order Candida auris Surveillance Culture (3016815) for skin sources or Fungal Culture (0060149) for specimen sources other than skin and the Antimicrobial Susceptibility - Fungal (Yeasts and Molds) (2009257) assay.
Collect the specimen from the site of interest, according to the specimen collection requirements listed in our laboratory test directory for Candida auris Surveillance Culture (3016815) or Fungal Culture (0060149).
Reference
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Candida auris (accessed on October 2, 2023).
Additional Resources:
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Increasing threat of spread of antimicrobial-resistant fungus in healthcare facilities (accessed on October 2, 2023).
If you have additional questions, please contact ARUP Client Services and use keyword: Candida auris.
