High Prevalence of Candida auris Colonization during Protracted Neonatal Unit Outbreak, South Africa

Abstract

One third of patients were colonized by Candida auris during a point-prevalence survey in a neonatal unit during an outbreak in South Africa. The sensitivity of a direct PCR for rapid colonization detection was 44% compared with culture. The infection incidence rate decreased by 85% after the survey and implementation of isolation/cohorting.

Keywords

• Candida auris
• fungi
• candidemia
• fungal infections
• colonization
• neonatal unit