Candida auris Testing

No cost for this testing.

1. Organisms: All Candida auris isolates representing invasive (e.g., blood and Cerebral Spinal Fluid), non-invasive (e.g., urine, wound, and respiratory tract), and screening (e.g., an axilla/groin swab) sources*.
   • Clinical isolates from unusual Candida spp. (species other than C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. dubliniensis, C. lusitaniae, C. tropicalis, or C. krusei).
   • Clinical isolates that fit the criteria of an unusual Candida spp., as defined above, do not need to be submitted if the identifying laboratory uses matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) for speciation and confirmation of Candida spp.
   • New clinical isolates of C. auris from previously identified patients should still be sent to IDOHL for confirmation and subsequent antifungal susceptibility testing.
2. Specimen type: Isolates. Pure viable culture on appropriate agar medium (Sabouraud-Dextrose, BHI, Mycosel) slant.
3. One isolate per patient.
4. Isolates should be submitted within three (3) business days of isolation per the IDOH Communicable Disease Rule 410-IAC 1-2.3-76.

1. Appropriate agar medium slant in tube with screw-cap tightened and parafilmed or other similarly approved commercial transport medium.
2. Shipping boxes/containers with appropriate shipping labels, available commercially.

1. Properly label the culture tube with a minimum of patient's first/last legal name, date of birth, and date the organism was isolated.
   • A minimum of two (2) unique identifiers must be indicated on the isolate tube.
   • Unique identifiers must match what is entered into LimsNet.
2. Check the expiration date on the tube to ensure the product is acceptable and will continue to be acceptable once received at the IDOH laboratory.
3. Isolates should be shipped at ambient temperature as Category B UN3373, triple contained, in accordance with federal shipping regulations for diagnostic specimens.
4. Complete the LimsNet submission form for Mycology (Candida) testing.
   LimsNet is available on the web at http://limsnet.isdh.in.gov. To sign up for LimsNet, or to ask a question, email the Help Desk at LimsAppSupport@health.in.gov.
5. For case consultation, contact IDOH Epidemiology at 317-233-1306.

Ship to:
Indiana Department of Health - Laboratory
Suite B, ARLN Microbiology
550 West 16th Street
Indianapolis, IN. 46202

1. Package according to Category B UN3373, triple contained, in accordance with federal shipping regulations for infectious substances/diagnostic specimens.
2. Wrap the completed submission/request form around the sealed inner container and place them together in the outer shipping container.
3. Clearly label the outer container with the sender's name/address and recipient's name/address.
4. Do not send culture isolates on petri plates if submitting by mail.
5. Transport temperature:  Ambient conditions.

1. Reporting Method:  LimsNet.
2. TAT:  2 days to 3 weeks.
3. Test Referral:  Isolates may be sent to the WSLH for AFST testing or to the CDC for other testing as needed.