Candida auris, Surveillance, Qualitative Real-Time PCR, Axilla/Groin, Nares

Test Code

10153

CPT Codes
87481

Preferred Specimen

1 composite groin/axilla swab collected in a liquid Amies elution swab (ESwab™)

Minimum Volume

1 swab

Other Acceptable Specimens

1 composite nasal swab collected in a liquid Amies elution swab (ESwab™)

Instructions

Swab both the left and right axilla (armpit) skin surface targeting the crease in the skin where the arm meets the body approximately 3-5 times. With the same swab used on the axilla, swab the left and right groin skin surface, targeting the skin where the thigh meets the trunk approximately 3-5 times.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 30 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

No swab present • Swab without media • Gel Amies collection tube • Blood samples • Urine samples

Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Tuesday-Saturday Morning
Report available: 2 Days

Reference Range

Not detected

Clinical Significance

Candida auris is an emerging yeast which causes invasive healthcare-associated infection with high mortality worldwide. This yeast often does not respond to commonly used antifungal drugs, making infections difficult to treat. Hospitalized patients in a healthcare facility are at higher risk of infection. Screening for C. auris colonization is important as patients who are colonized may be at risk of developing invasive infections and can transmit the organism to other patients. The most common sites of colonization for C. auris are the axillae and groin, and composite axilla/groin samples are the preferred sample type for testing. The nares may also be colonized, and nasal swabs are also acceptable for testing but may have less sensitivity compared to axilla/groin swabs. Detection of C. auris in colonized patients may help in the implementation of epidemiological interventions and reduction of nosocomial transmission. Rapid identification of C. auris using techniques such as PCR is an important public health measure to control the spread of infection.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.