MicroGenDX Provides Rapid Screening for Candida Auris to Help Avoid Outbreaks in Healthcare Settings

Candida auris causes serious infections, and cases are rising across the U.S as documented by CDC’s tracking map at https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/candida-auris/tracking-c-auris.html. More than one in three patients die within a month of being diagnosed with a bloodstream or other invasive C. auris infection, and patients in hospitals and nursing homes are particularly susceptible. MicroGenDX molecular testing overcomes current challenges with detecting C. auris. For example, both standard culture and MALDI-TOF have difficulty identifying this species of fungus, but MicroGenDX DNA analysis specifically targets C. auris using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of its rDNA and is extremely accurate. MicroGenDX testing also facilitates the rapid intervention and precautions needed to prevent outbreaks in healthcare settings by returning results within 24-48 hours. The MicroGenDX test also accepts multiple sample types, including swab, tissue, and urine. The CDC is concerned about this serious global health threat and encourages all U.S. laboratory staff who identify C. auris to notify their state and local public health authorities when detected. Please also notify the CDC at [email protected]. About MicroGenDX Founded in 2008, MicroGenDX has become the industry leader in rapid turnaround and affordability for comprehensive Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and qPCR testing for clinical diagnostics. MicroGenDX is CLIA-licensed and CAP-accredited, and has been the trusted research partner for the CDC, U.S. Army, NASA, and the FDA. MicroGenDX has published over 70 clinical studies and is the most experienced molecular diagnostic laboratory with some 1.5 million samples processed. References https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7694398 https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/candida-auris/identification.html https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/candida-auris/tracking-c-auris.html Source: MicroGenDX