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Test ID: Candida auris PCR
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Candida auris PCR
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Commercially available polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of Candida auris carriage
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Useful For
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Detection of Candida auris carriage
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Method name and description
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Commercially available real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay
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Clinical information
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Candida auris is an emerging healthcare-associated pathogen responsible for hospital outbreaks. Detection of carriage in hospitalized patients helps in the prevention and control of spread.
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Specimen type / Specimen volume / Specimen container
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Specimen type
- Nasal swab (only if clinically indicated)
- Axillary swab and Groin swab (composite)
Specimen container
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Copan double plastic swab (red cap)
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Collection instructions / Special Precautions / Timing of collection
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Collection instructions:
1.Open the Cepheid Collection Device (COPAN transport media (red cap) by peeling back the outer packaging.
A. Axilla and groin swab (double composite swabs)
- Carefully remove tube from its packaging without touching the soft tip.
- Using both swabs, swipe all sides of swabs 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 swabs on groin and continue the step below:
- Using both swabs, swipe all sides of swabs 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.
2. Remove cap from swab collection tube, discard it and place soft end of collection swab into the tube. Prevent cap from touching any materials to avoid contamination.
3.The swabs should go all the way into the tube until they rest on top of the sponge at the bottom of the tube. Make sure the red cap is tightly on.
Note: The swabs should stay attached to the red cap at all times
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Relevant clinical information to be provided
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Reason for request should be clearly stated and should be in line with the organization infection control policy for C.auris PCR screening
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Storage and transport instructions
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≤ 2 hours at room temperature
> 2 hours store at 2-8 C. Specimens sould 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 PCR screening
- Specimen received in blue cap swab (Amies transport medium)
- 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
- Invalid specimen
- Delayed specimen
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Biological reference intervals and clinical decision values
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Negative result
Candida auris PCR Negative
Positive result
Candida auris PCR Positive
Inconclusive result
Candida auris PCR inconclusive
Note: New inconclusive results are confirmed by culture
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Factors affecting test performance and result interpretation
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- Improper collection
- Bloody swab
- Improper transport
- Improper technique
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Turnaround time / Days and times test performed / Specimen retention time
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Turnaround time
24 hours
Days and times test performed
Daily 7 days a week from 7am to 3pm in the HGH microbiology laboratory
Specimen retention time
48 hrs after the final report
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