Candida auris: the fungal threat reshaping clinical diagnostics
An emerging pathogen with global impact
Candida auris, recently reclassified as Candidozyma auris, has become one of the most concerning fungal pathogens in healthcare environments.
Since its discovery in 2009, this yeast has shown high antifungal resistance and an exceptional ability to persist on hospital surfaces and medical equipment, leading to outbreaks that are difficult to control across multiple continents.
Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a critical priority fungal pathogen, C. auris poses major challenges for infection control and public health due to its rapid transmission and frequent misidentification by conventional methods.
UKHSA 2025 guidance: a crucial update
In March 2025, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) released its first updated guidance on Candida auris since 2017, now officially reclassified as Candidozyma auris to reflect its distinct genetic profile.
Published in The Lancet Microbe, this update highlights the rise in detections across England, from 93 in 2023 to 178 in 2024, and recommends replacing biochemical methods with molecular assays and MALDI-TOF, which offer greater accuracy and faster results for species-level identification and outbreak monitoring.
The value of molecular diagnosis
Real-time PCR–based methods are now recognized as the reference standard for the rapid and specific detection of Candidozyma auris.
Unlike traditional phenotypic techniques, PCR provides:
- Higher sensitivity and specificity
- Faster turnaround times
- Early detection of both infection and colonization
These assays allow laboratories to differentiate C. auris from closely related species, monitor outbreaks effectively, and implement active surveillance strategies to prevent hospital transmission.
Ensuring diagnostic reliability with AMPLIRUN® Molecular Controls
The accuracy of molecular diagnostics depends on the use of well-characterized quality controls.
At Vircell, we offer AMPLIRUN® Molecular Controls, a comprehensive range of reference materials designed to support method validation, routine quality assurance, and external quality assessment (EQA) programs.
Key products include:
- AMPLIRUN® CANDIDA AURIS DNA CONTROL (Ref. MBC127-R): purified DNA containing the complete microbial genome, compatible with both real-time and conventional PCR platforms.
- CANDIDA AURIS TOTAL CONTROL (NEUTRAL MATRIX) (Ref. MC234): non-infectious, ready-to-use molecular control designed for full workflow verification — from extraction to detection.
With AMPLIRUN®, laboratories can ensure accurate, reproducible, and traceable results for Candidozyma auris detection and quality control.
🔗 Learn more about Candidozyma auris and our AMPLIRUN® solutions