The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a clinical alert for multidrug-resistant yeast,  This yeast is associated with invasive healthcare acquired infections (HAIs) and high mortality, reportedly causing bloodstream infections, wound infections, and otitis.  C. auris is most commonly hospital-acquired following several weeks of hospital stay.  Patients had similar risk factors as those with other Candida infections including: diabetes mellitus, recent surgery, recent antibiotics, and the presence of a central venous catheter.

CDC recommends that healthcare facilities with suspected cases of C. auris infection contact state or local public health authorities, who will then notify the CDC.  Clusters of C. auris have shown a high degree of clonality within the same hospital.  Healthcare facilities are advised to place suspected cases in single rooms and use standard and contact precautions until definitive guidance on infection control for C. auris becomes available.  It is also recommended that healthcare facilities perform daily and terminal cleaning and disinfection of rooms using EPA-registered hospital grade disinfectant with a fungal claim.

The possible emergence of C. auris within healthcare facilities in new areas, including the U.S., is a concern as CDC works with their domestic and international partners to develop a plan for infection prevention.  Click here to read the clinical alert.