CDC warns about Candida auris spreading if health care workers don't take preventative measures in an interview with Infection Control Today.
Collaboration among health care workers is crucial in diagnosing and preventing the spread of deadly Candida auris (C auris). Neglecting appropriate preventive measures can lead to severe consequences.
To address these possible outcomes, Infection Control Today® (ICT®) consulted with the CDC and spoke with Megan Lyman, MD, medical officer, Mycotic Diseases Branch, CDC, and Danielle A. Rankin, PhD, MPH, health scientist, Division of Healthcare Quality and Promotion, Prevention and Response Branch, Antimicrobial-Resistance Team, CDC. This initial interview was conducted in collaboration with our colleague Chris Spivey, editorial director for Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutical Technology Europe, and BioPharm International.
This is the third installment in a series of four. The first is here. The second installment is here. The fourth installment is here.
ICT: What will the future look like if nothing—or not enough—is done to prevent C auris from spreading?
Danielle A. Rankin, PhD, MPH: If we do nothing, it's likely C auris will continue to spread throughout our health care facilities and may become endemic, allowing C auris to become an even greater risk to our patient populations. And in addition, we could also see the increasing level of resistance among C auris isolates.
Megan Lyman, MD: Just on resistance, only 3 main antifungal drug classes can be used for invasive Candida infections, including C auris. There was also an increase in a Candida-resistant cases that we've detected and [had] evidence of transmission, which is particularly concerning because it is our first line therapy for invasive Candida infections, including C auris.
ICT: What other pathogens lurking in the background that we need to worry about?
ML: There are many fungal pathogens; it's a whole kingdom. There are many changes, and we have seen more emerging fungal pathogens increasing resistance; C auris is a great example. We're continuing to monitor that. But there are some things going on, including climate change that may be selecting for some of these emerging pathogens to start popping up now. And things like antifungal and antimicrobial use are increasing and changing, and that's selecting for more resistant, emerging pathogens.
DR: So as Megan said, in addition to C auris, we also have seen, throughout the years, carbapenemase-producing organisms. These are organisms that are resistant to our carpet penname antibiotics, but they also possess an enzyme that can transfer between bacterial taxa carbapenemase enzyme is where it makes the bacteria produce carbapenemases where it makes it resistant to all those carbapenem antibiotics. And so those carbapenemase carbapenemase producing organisms are also, as Megan had indicated, sometimes we see them where patients have both C auris in some of our carbapenemase-producing organisms. Still, it's not always that we see them coincide, we do see patients who also have these carbapenemase organisms as well on their own.
ML: In facilities where we see transmission of one, we're often worried that they are at higher risk for having transmission of the other if it's introduced.
DR: In addition, as Megan had indicated, for C auris, our team specifically focuses on the carbapenemase-producing organisms and does surveillance alongside but separately from the Mycotic Division. We focus solely on the carbapenemase-producing organisms.
Revolutionizing Hospital Cleanliness: How Color Additives Transform Infection Prevention
December 9th 2024Discover how a groundbreaking color additive for disinfectant wipes improved hospital cleanliness by 69.2%, reduced microbial presence by nearly half, and enhanced cleaning efficiency—all without disrupting workflows.
Splash Pads and Waterborne Disease Outbreaks: A 25-Year Perspective Introduction
December 5th 2024A CDC report reveals 25 years of splash pad-linked waterborne outbreaks, highlighting risks from pathogens like Cryptosporidium. Prevention requires better hygiene, water treatment, and public health strategies.
Genomic Surveillance A New Frontier in Health Care Outbreak Detection
November 27th 2024According to new research, genomic surveillance is transforming health care-associated infection detection by identifying outbreaks earlier, enabling faster interventions, improving patient outcomes, and reducing costs.
Point-of-Care Engagement in Long-Term Care Decreasing Infections
November 26th 2024Get Well’s digital patient engagement platform decreases hospital-acquired infection rates by 31%, improves patient education, and fosters involvement in personalized care plans through real-time interaction tools.
The Leapfrog Group and the Positive Effect on Hospital Hand Hygiene
November 21st 2024The Leapfrog Group enhances hospital safety by publicizing hand hygiene performance, improving patient safety outcomes, and significantly reducing health care-associated infections through transparent standards and monitoring initiatives.