A TaqMan Probe-Based Real-Time PCR Assay for the Rapid Identification of the Emerging Multidrug-Resistant Pathogen Candida auris on the BD Max System

• Published in: Journal of clinical microbiology Vol. 57; no. 7
• Main Authors: Lima, Amorce, Widen, Raymond, Vestal, Grant, Uy, Dominic, Silbert, Suzane
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society for Microbiology 01.07.2019
• Subjects: Mycology; Candida auris; TaqMan probe; BD Max; real-time PCR
• ISSN: 0095-1137; 1098-660X
• DOI: 10.1128/JCM.01604-18

is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that has been associated with nosocomial bloodstream and deep wound infections causing a high mortality rate mainly in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Laboratories currently rely on phenotypic testing using commercial automated systems for identification of yeasts; however, this technique has often led to misidentification of to other closely related species. We developed and validated a TaqMan-based real-time PCR assay on the BD Max platform targeting ribosomal DNA (rDNA) region nucleotide sequences to quickly and accurately test for infection from culture and clinical specimens. The assay is highly specific, reproducible, and sensitive, allowing detection of as low as 1 CFU per reaction within 3 h.