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Candida auris: What We Need to Know in Healthcare Settings

  • Treatment and Prevention of Hospital Infections (D Vilar-Compte, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of review

Candida auris is an emerging pathogen characterized for its difficult identification, rapid nosocomial spread, and limited treatment options. Data is currently limited; however, this will change as the pathogen’s prevalence increases. The goal of this review is to provide a concise summary of the available data to manage a possible C. auris infection.

Recent findings

Candida auris has been rapidly spreading globally and has been evading popular identification methods with MALDI-TOF being the only successful modality as long as the “research use only” database is used. Echinocandins are the treatment of choice; however, all isolates should have susceptibilities performed as there have been reports of resistance to all antifungal classes. Several hospital outbreaks have occurred; thus, all patients should be isolated with appropriate terminal cleaning.

Summary

Atypical or suspicious Candida isolates should be identified by MALDI-TOF. Most Candida auris strains are resistant to azoles; therefore, the suggested empirical treatment is an echinocandin. Echinocandin-resistant strains have been reported, and in those cases, a polyene is preferred. Strict contact precautions are recommended while in the hospital due to high levels of nosocomial transmission.

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  1. University of Texas, 6431 Fannin Street, MSB 2.112, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Cima Nowbakht DO & Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner MD

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  1. Cima Nowbakht DO
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Correspondence to Cima Nowbakht DO.

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Cima Nowbakht declares that she has no conflict of interest. Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner has received research grants and/or consulting honoraria and lecture fees from Merck, Pfizer, Astellas, Scynexis, and Cidara.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Treatment and Prevention of Hospital Infections

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Nowbakht, C., Ostrosky-Zeichner, L. Candida auris: What We Need to Know in Healthcare Settings. Curr Treat Options Infect Dis 10, 121–128 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40506-018-0168-6

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