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Test ID: Candida auris screening culture
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Candida auris screening culture
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Conventional culture for isolation of Candida auris
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Useful For
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The detection of patients colonized with Candida auris
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Method name and description
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Conventional culture technique using chromogenic media
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Reporting name
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Candida auris screening culture
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Clinical information
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Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast that can cause invasive infections with high mortality and has been transmitted in healthcare settings. Patients may be asymptomatically colonized with C. auris. Patients with C. auris colonization can spread this yeast to other patients, and colonized patients can develop invasive as well as superficial infections. Identifying persons colonized with C. auris is a key step in containing the spread of C. auris.
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Aliases
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- Candida auris screening culture
- Culture Candida auris screening
- C candida
- C.auris
- C auris
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Specimen type / Specimen volume / Specimen container
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Specimen type
Note: the types of specimen to be collected on each patient should be in accordance with organizational Candida auris infection control policies. Bilateral axilla and groin swabs are collected from all patients.
- Nasal swab (only if clinically indicated)
- Axillary swab and Groin swab (composite)
The following sites shall be considered for culture (Blue top swab: order “Routine culture”) and, if clinically indicated such as septic work up or showing sign of infection:
- Wound swab- surgical, ulcer andother breaks in skin or other lesions.
- Swabs from cannula entry sites.
- Low vaginal swab.
- Rectal swab or stool sample.
- Sputum (if productive) or endotracheal secretions if intubated.
- Drain fluid if drain present
- Urine sample- only in catheterized patients and patients with nephrostomy.
Specimen container:
- Amies transport medium for all swabs
- Sterile leak proof container without preservative.for all other specimens
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Collection instructions / Special Precautions / Timing of collection
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Collection instructions
1.Open the Amies transport media (blue cap) by peeling back the outer packaging.
A. Axilla and groin swab (single composite swab)
- Carefully remove tube from its packaging without touching the soft tip.
- Using Amies transport media (blue cap) swab, swipe all sides of the swab tip back and forth 5 times over left axilla skin surface. Target the crease where the arm meets the body. Repeat on the right axilla.
Note: Use the same swab on groin and continue the step below:
- Using the same Amies transport media (blue cap) swab, swipe all sides of swab tip back and forth 5 times over left groin skin surface (inguinal crease in the skin where the leg meets the pelvic region). Repeat on the right groin.
B. Nasal swab
- Ask the patient to tilt his/her head back.
- Insert dry swabs approximately 1–2 cm into each nostril.
- Rotate the swabs against the inside of the nostril for 3 seconds.
- Apply slight pressure with a finger on the outside of the nose to help assure good contact between the swab and the inside of the nose.
- Using the same swabs, repeat for the second nostril, trying not to touch anything but the inside of the nose.
C. Specimens other than Axilla and Groin or Nasal
The following sites shall be considered as "Routine culture” and only if clinically indicated such as septic work up or showing sign of infection:
- Wound swab- surgical, ulcer andother breaks in skin or other lesions: Moisten swab with sterile saline before collectting the specimen.
- Swabs from cannula entry sites: Moisten swab with sterile saline before collecting the specimen.
- Low vaginal swab: see collection instructions under genital culture
- Rectal swab or stool sample: see collection instructions under CRE Screening and Stool Culture
- Sputum (if productive) or endotracheal secretions if intubated: see under Sputum Culture and Respiratory Lower Culture
- Drain fluid if drain present: Collect sample from the darinage port and not the drainage bag.
- Urine sample- only in catheterized patients and patients with nephrostomy: see under Urine/reflex Culture
Special precautions
Collect only in accordance with organizational Candida auris infection control policies.
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Relevant clinical information to be provided
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- Indication for the test
- Specific anatomic source
- Previous hospital admissions within the last 12 months
- Contact of C. auris patient
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Storage and transport instructions
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Storage and transport:
- Store at room temperature. The specimen should reach the laboratory within 24 hours of collection
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Specimen Rejection Criteria
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- Swabs not sent in accordance with the organization policy for C.auris screening
- Specimen received in red cap PCR tube
- No relevant clinical details provided with the request. (Please note that where applicable, the relevant clinical details should reflect those on the patient’s electronic record at the time the order was placed).
- Unlabeled/Mislabeled specimens
- Improper container
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Biological reference intervals and clinical decision values
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Result reporting:
Negative result
No Candida auris isolated
Positive result
Candida auris isolated
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Factors affecting test performance and result interpretation
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- Improper collection technique
- Improper container
- Improper transportation and storage
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Turnaround time / Days and times test performed / Specimen retention time
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Turnaround Time:
- Preliminary report released at 48 hrs where extended incubation upto 5 days is indicated
- 2-5 days depending on whether specimens need extended incubation
Days and times test performed:
- Daily 7 days a week 7am-3 pm in HGH microbiology laboratory; 24/7 in AAH, AWH and TCH microbiology laboratories
Specimen retention time:
- 48 hrs. after the final report
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