SP registers first case of the superfungus Candida Auris – 06/07/2023 – Health

The state of São Paulo recorded the first case of the superfungus candidate auris, according to the State Department of Health. The infected patient is a premature baby who was born at the Hospital da Mulher Prof. doctor José Aristodemo Pinotti-Caism/Unicamp, in Campinas, in the interior of São Paulo.

The case was confirmed on the 18th of last month, in preoperative examinations on the baby. According to the note issued by the health unit, the baby’s clinical evolution has been good, despite its conditions associated with prematurity and low weight.

A candidate auris is a fungus that can cause invasive, severe infections associated with high mortality, and may present multidrug resistance characteristics and lead to the occurrence of outbreaks in health services.

According to the hospital, after confirming the presence of the superfungus, there was an extensive investigation among other patients at the hospital, but, so far, no other person has been diagnosed with the pathological agent. New traces are being carried out, he says, with a view to confirming this result.

The hospital’s superintendence states that it has adopted contact precautions in the treatment of babies who have been treated by professionals who have had direct contact with the contaminated baby.

To avoid further contamination, the hospital explains that it has adopted the following measures:

• Cleaning and disinfection of the place of hospitalization and medical-hospital equipment with a product based on hydrogen peroxide;
• Reinforcement of guidance for care teams regarding proper hand hygiene and clothing techniques (use of gloves, caps, aprons, etc.);
• Concurrent cleaning of the place of hospitalization at least every 3 hours. Unlike terminal cleaning, which occurs after the patient is discharged or transferred to another area, concurrent cleaning is performed during the patient’s stay in the healthcare environment;
• Appointment of exclusive health articles and products for the patient during the hospitalization period;
• Reduction in the number of visits to the baby. Its visitors have been reinforced with guidelines on hand hygiene, use of aprons and gloves. Milk collections should take place in the same room where the newborn is hospitalized, with the supervision and guidance of the nursing team. The movement of parents within the hospital should be minimal and essential.