Candida species
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 50 Orms St, Providence RI 02904. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Special Pathogens & Biothreats Laboratory 401-222-5586
Candida auris, Candida species (other than Candida albicans)
Candida auris
Collect and confirm Candida species isolates (other than C. albicans).
The Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time -of -Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) Biotyper CA (Bruker Daltonics Inc.) and its reference library of species are cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the identification of microorganisms. The performance characteristics of the MALDI-TOF system were verified by the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories. Additional species not contained in the FDA-approved reference library were extensively validated prior to reporting.
Per request of the CDC, isolates are being collected for potential shipment to the Regional Reference Laboratory for further characterization.
Isolates to submit to RISHL:
All confirmed or suspected Candida auris isolates from any specimen source
Antifungal resistant candida species, other than C. albicans, from any specimen source, especially invasive sites
Yeast isolates from any specimen source after attempt to identify was unsuccessful
Additional Information:
Candida species and CRE/CRPA testing letter sent to RI Sentinel Microbiology Laboratories https://health.ri.gov/publications/specimenguidances/Candida-2022-Letter-To-Sentinel-Labs.pdf
Update to the Standardized Case Definition and Notification for Candida auris https://health.ri.gov/publications/specimenguidances/Candida-CSTE-22-ID-05_C_auris.pdf
Preferred: an 18-24 hour pure isolate on a Sabouraud Dextrose agar plate or a blood agar plate sealed with parafilm or other appropriate barrier film.
If transport is delayed, minimize excessive subculturing and keep plate refrigerated at 2-8°C to preserve resistance mechanism.
CLIA regulations require specimens be labeled with at least two patient identifiers. Examples of identifiers are first and last name, date of birth, chart/medical record number. The specimen container must be labeled to match the test requisition or the electronic order.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Copies of all susceptibility and mechanistic testing reports.
Bacterial Isolate (ID/Confirmation)
Write Candida under Comments/Other test requests.
Indicate whether the isolate is derived from a clinical or screening/surveillance culture.
As soon as possible at ambient temperature, in a yellow-top transport container.
Specimens must be packaged & transported in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
Providers must report patient information on Candida auris immediately using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
2 business days
Containers specifically labeled for transport of specimens and isolates to the RISHL Special Pathogens and Biotreats Laboratory are available in all Microbiology Laboratories and Laboratory Sendout Departments.