CAUTION: Candida auris screening, surveillance and infection control

Infections with yeasts such as Candida auris have been rising worldwide, including Europe. Dutch hospitals had multiple C. auris colonized patients recently, all imported. Infections with C. auris mainly affect immunocompromised patients and patients who underwent complex surgeries. 

Since C. auris can survive well on surfaces, this yeast can spread in healthcare facilities and cause outbreaks. C. auris is often resistant to many antifungal medications hampering the treatment of patients. These factors have contributed to listing C. auris on the WHO fungal priority list, in addition to C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis and C. albicans. Since screening and surveillance are not well developed, the overview of the presence and spread of C. auris is limited.

Aim

In this project we develop accurate screening and surveillance of yeasts to be prepared for the emergence of C. auris and to be able to adequately respond if C. auris and other yeasts spread and cause outbreaks in the Netherlands.