Candidozyma Auris

What is C. auris?

C. auris is a rare fungus that can lead to bloodstream, wound and ear infections. It can be more difficult to treat as it can be resistant to commonly used antifungal drugs. As such it is important we try to control the spread of C. auris by screening patients at higher risk of carrying C. auris and putting infection control measures in place for colonised patients.

Candidozyma is a family of yeasts that live on the skin and inside the human body. C. auris was first detected in a patient in 2009. C. auris is much less common than other types of yeast, such as Candida albicans (which causes thrush). Since it was first identified, C. auris has been found in patients across the world and is most commonly found in healthcare settings, such as hospitals.

Some people can carry C. auris without developing any symptoms. This is known as colonisation and means that you are carrying C. auris somewhere on your body, such as your skin, but it has not caused an infection. People who are carrying C. auris do not need to be treated for this, as it is not harmful.

How C. auris is spread

C. auris mainly spreads by touch, for example, by touching a surface or an object that has got C. auris on it or having close contact with someone who is carrying or is infected with C. auris. C. auris is difficult to completely remove from the environment, and it is easy to pick up from bed linen, equipment or other people’s hands.

Testing patients for C. auris

At CUH we test patient for C. auris for the following reasons:

• if there is an outbreak of C. auris at the hospital you have been admitted to
• if you have been in contact with someone who has C. auris
• if you have had an overnight stay in a hospital outside the UK in the previous year
• if you are being transferred from or recently admitted in a UK hospital with a higher incidence of C. auris

If you need to be tested for C. Auris in hospital, a healthcare professional will take swabs from different parts of your body over 3 days. This may happen when you are admitted to hospital or while you are staying in hospital, but you will need to stay in a single room whilst waiting for the results. Some patients may need to be screened for C. auris before an operation or procedure, which will be arranged by the relevant pre-operative assessment or clinical team.

If you are carrying C. auris

If you test positive for C. auris but you do not have signs or symptoms of infection, you are carrying C. auris. As outlined earlier, this colonisation does not need any treatment. Unnecessary treatment increases the risk of C.auris becoming resistant.

We don’t yet know how long patients carry C. auris for, and so we will keep precautions in place for all future admissions to CUH. This doesn’t affect access to services but your future admissions may look a little different.

You will need to be isolated in a single room during your stay and staff will need to wear gloves and a gown. We encourage patients not to spend time in the hospital concourse but visits to gardens and other open areas can be arranged on discussion with ward staff if desired.

Most patients who are colonised with C. auris do not go on to develop infections with it.

To help reduce the risk of you developing a C. auris infection or spreading it to others

• Maintain good personal hygiene by washing your hands regularly with soap and water (or using an alcohol-based hand rub if your hands do not look dirty).
• Avoid touching or picking at any wounds, dressings or lines that you may have.

Any visitors you have should make sure to wash their hands with soap and water before entering and after leaving your single room. Visitors are not routinely asked to wear any gloves or aprons but may do so if they are providing personal care for you.

It is important to remind staff on any future admissions to any hospital you are colonised with C. auris. We will inform your GP of any results which indicate you are colonised with C. auris.