First identified in 2009, C. auris has since spread across the globe. The CDC now classifies it as an urgent public health threat (CDC, 2023). This yeast is of particular concern because it:

• Exhibits multidrug resistance: Many isolates are resistant to commonly used antifungal drugs.
• Is difficult to identify: Traditional phenotypic methods for yeast infection may misidentify it as other Candida species (CDC, June 2024) (Kumar et al., 2023).
• Survives in healthcare environments: It can persist on surfaces, making it especially prone to causing outbreaks in hospitals and long-term care facilities. (Chowdhary et al., 2017).

The ability to accurately detect C. auris is vital to ensure timely infection control interventions, guide appropriate therapy, and protect patients.

Laboratory Challenges with Emergent Pathogens

The arrival of C. auris and other MDROs presents significant challenges for clinical laboratories. Not all diagnostic platforms include emerging organisms in their identification libraries, leaving clinical laboratories at risk of misidentification (Kumar et al., 2023). Additional biosafety measures and disinfection practices are needed to prevent environmental persistence and cross-contamination (Peng et al., 2018), (Chowdhary et al., 2017).

Beyond technical issues, laboratories must prepare their staff to recognize unusual isolates, escalate findings when appropriate, and follow updated reporting procedures (CDC, 2023). Accrediting bodies and regulators, including CLIA and international organizations, expect laboratories to demonstrate competency in detecting clinically significant organisms—even those rarely encountered in day-to-day work (WHO, 2017).

The Role of Proficiency Testing in Preparedness

Clinical proficiency testing (PT) is not just about meeting regulatory requirements. It is also a proactive tool that strengthens a laboratory’s ability to respond to emerging threats. When laboratories participate in PT programs that include unusual or emerging organisms, they are effectively stress-testing their systems under realistic conditions.

Through PT, laboratory managers and directors can verify whether their identification platforms are accurate, while also confirming that staff have the confidence and skills to report rare organisms. The process allows labs to compare their performance with peer institutions, uncover hidden gaps, and then use those findings to refine SOPs, strengthen training, and improve quality systems (WHO, 2017).

Participation in PT allows laboratories to demonstrate readiness to regulators and accrediting bodies, while also strengthening their role as critical partners in infection prevention and public health. Above all, it provides decision-makers with the reassurance that their laboratories are equipped to detect and respond to emergent threats quickly and reliably.

Looking Ahead

Emergent pathogens will continue to challenge healthcare systems worldwide. Ensuring your laboratory’s tools, people, and processes are ready is the best way to safeguard patients and support the broader public health mission.

Stay ahead of emerging threats while maintaining the highest standards of quality, compliance, and patient safety. To get started, take a look at our catalog and request a quote for 2026. At WSLH Proficiency Testing, we recognize that laboratory directors and managers need tools that prepare their teams not only for routine workflow but also for the unexpected. Including organisms such as C. auris and other MDROs in your laboratory’s proficiency testing menu ensures that your laboratory is positioned to respond when it matters most.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, June 27). Identification of Candida auris. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/candida-auris/hcp/laboratories/identification-of-c-auris.html
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, March 19). Environmental cleaning procedures. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthcare-associated-infections/hcp/cleaning-global/procedures.html
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Candida auris: A global emerging threat. https://www.cdc.gov/candida-auris/
• Chowdhary, A., Sharma, C., & Meis, J. F. (2017). Candida auris: A rapidly emerging cause of hospital-acquired infections globally. PLoS Pathogens, 13(5), e1006290.
• Kumar, A., et al. (2023). Challenges in the identification of Candida auris: A review of current diagnostic tools. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 13, 1051760.
• Peng H, Bilal M, Iqbal HMN. Improved Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures and/or Strategies to Tackle Laboratory-Acquired Infections and Related Risks. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Nov 29;15(12):2697.
• World Health Organization. (2017). WHO guidelines on the use of external quality assessment schemes in health laboratories.