Overview:
Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) informs that, on Tuesday (11/1), the third outbreak of the Candida auris fungus in Brazil was confirmed. The case occurred in a hospital in Pernambuco (PE). It was confirmed by the Central Public Health Laboratory – Lacen/BA.
Introduction
The laboratory performed the analyses using Maldi-Tof (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Light), a method to quickly and efficiently diagnose the proteins of a bacterium or fungus.
It is important to clarify that although there is currently only one confirmed case and another one under investigation a case of Candida auris is considered an outbreak because the epidemiological definition of an outbreak covers not only a large number of cases of contagious diseases or health problems, but also the emergence of a new microorganism in the epidemiology of a country or even a health service – even if it is only one case.
According to Anvisa, the confirmation represents the third outbreak of Candida auris in the country. The drug-resistant “super fungus” is responsible for hospital infections.
What is the mechanism of transmission of the Candida aures virus? How to prevent it?
According to Anvisa, the mechanism of transmission is not yet known, but is believed to be through contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment.
How to prevent it?
- Sanitizing the Environment
- Hand hygiene
- Systematic monitoring of contacts
- Isolation of suspected cases.
'Superfungo' resistant to which medication?
- Fluconazole
- Amphotericin B or echinocandins.
In addition, the fungus can cause bloodstream infection and be fatal, especially in the immunosuppressed or those with comorbidities.
Actions taken by Anvisa in relation to the outbreak:
- The hospital established precautionary measures and adopted actions to prevent and control the outbreak.
- The State Coordination of Infection Prevention and Control of Pernambuco
is monitoring the outbreak and supporting the infection prevention and control actions. - Anvisa is following the actions related to the outbreak, coordinating with those involved, and supporting the actions of the National Task Force.
- The Agency advises microbiology laboratories to intensify laboratory surveillance and immediately inform the Hospital Infection Control Committee (CCIH) of the health service and follow the recommendations of Technical Note 11/2020 regarding the referral of the sample to Lacen.
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