TB Research

510. Exposure Investigation Following a Confirmed Case of Candida auris and Multiple Carbapenemase-Producing Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms

Frances Nicholson, Melanie S. Curless, Maggie Schiffhauer, Sean X. Zhang, Patricia J. Simner, Karen C. Carroll, Clare Rock, Lisa L. Maragakis, et al. (9 authors)

Open Forum Infectious Diseases · 2019-10

Abstract

Abstract Background Co-infections of Candida auris and carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative organisms (CP-CRO) are an increasing global concern and rarely seen in the United States. We report the case of a 59-year-old male, with recent hospitalization in India, admitted to our facility with C. auris isolated from urine and axilla/groin specimens and CP-CRO from five body sites. Methods Travel screening in the emergency department identified a patient at high risk for colonization/infection with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). Contact precautions were initiated. Eight CP-CRO isolates were subsequently identified from clinical and routine surveillance cultures from five separate sites. Of the isolates, seven contained one or more carbapenemase-producing genes detected by Xpert Carba-R assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA) (Table 1). The microbiology laboratory alerted the infection control department of a presumptive positive C. auris from a clinical urine culture from the same patient. Enhanced mitigation strategies were initiated in regards to cleaning and disinfection. An exposure investigation was also conducted using a point prevalence approach. Surveillance cultures were obtained from inpatients currently admitted to the same unit as the index patient. Axilla/groin specimens were collected for C. auris testing, and rectal specimens were collected for CP-CRO gene testing (CRE Real-Time PCR). Results Eighteen patients in addition to the index patient were hospitalized on the acute medicine unit. One patient refused testing for CP-CRO; therefore, 17 patients were tested for CP-CRO, and 18 patients were tested for C. auris. Neither CP-CRO nor C. auris were recovered from any patient. Conclusion A patient co-infected with C. auris and multiple CP-CRO was identified by clinical and routine surveillance cultures at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Travel screening allowed proactive isolation upon presentation. Enhanced infection control measures were implemented and a point prevalence surveillance study was conducted on the general acute care medicine inpatient unit. No transmission of either C. auris or CP-CRO was detected, likely due in part to rapid identification and strict infection control measures. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

MeSH terms

  • Candida auris
  • Medicine
  • Infection control
  • GeneXpert MTB/RIF
  • Emergency department
  • Carbapenem
  • Axilla
  • Microbiology
  • Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae
  • Internal medicine
  • Emergency medicine