Background and study aim: Candida auris has emerged as a multidrug resistant fungus commonly associated with healthcare associated infections with immense importance in global healthcare setting. We attempted to carry out a census of various problems faced by clinical microbiologists and clinicians in establishing the fungus as a pathogen often prone to misidentification vis-à-vis its treatment and control in patients admitted to hospitals, especially in intensive care units.
Patients and Methods: This was a hospital based observational study with cross-sectional design. During the study period which encompassed the COVID-19 pandemic, critically ill patients in intensive care units with corroborating history, clinical presentation with high degree of suspicion towards a Candida auris candidemia responding poorly to antibacterial treatment were identified. Blood culture from the patients were collected and processed as per standard guidelines. Both conventional and automated identification systems were used to identify Candida auris followed by antifungal susceptibility testing by disc diffusion methods and broth microdilution.‎
Results: Sixty patients were identified as being potentially infected with C. auris; six of which demonstrated growth of the fungus on blood culture, detected both by conventional and automated methods. All the patients had invasive disease, fever being the constant clinical presentation; four had history of road traffic accident and received primary care elsewhere; all six patients were on broad spectrum parenteral antibacterial antibiotics for considerable duration with no clinical improvement‎.
Conclusion: A positive clinical correlation and high mycological suspicion is essential in diagnosis of Candida auris infections. Multidisciplinary involvement, administrative will, strict adherence to infection control strategies plays a leading role in controlling Candida auris infections‎.