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Sticchi C, Raso R, Ferrara L, Vecchi E, Ferrero L, Filippi D, Finotto G, Frassinelli E, Silvestre C, Zozzoli S, Ambretti S, Diegoli G, Gagliotti C, Moro ML, Ricchizzi E, Tumietto F, Russo F, Tonon M, Maraglino F, Rezza G, Sabbatucci M. Increasing Number of Cases Due to Candida auris in North Italy, July 2019-December 2022. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12051912. [PMID: 36902700 PMCID: PMC10003924 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12051912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is an emerging fungus that represents a serious health threat globally. In Italy, the first case was detected in July 2019. Then, one case was reported to the Ministry of Health (MoH) on January 2020. Nine months later, a huge number of cases were reported in northern Italy. Overall, 361 cases were detected in 17 healthcare facilities between July 2019 and December 2022 in the Liguria, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto regions, including 146 (40.4%) deaths. The majority of cases (91.8%) were considered as colonised. Only one had a history of travel abroad. Microbiological data on seven isolates showed that all but one strain (85.7%) were resistant to fluconazole. All the environmental samples tested negative. Weekly screening of contacts was performed by the healthcare facilities. Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures were applied locally. The MoH nominated a National Reference Laboratory to characterise C. auris isolates and store the strains. In 2021, Italy posted two messages through the Epidemic Intelligence Information System (EPIS) to inform on the cases. On February 2022, a rapid risk assessment indicated a high risk for further spread within Italy, but a low risk of spread to other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Sticchi
- A.Li.Sa. Azienda Ligure Sanitaria, Ligurian Health Authority, 16121 Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Raso
- Regional Epidemiology Reference Service for the Surveillance, Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases—Local Health Unit of Alessandria, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Lorenza Ferrara
- Regional Epidemiology Reference Service for the Surveillance, Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases—Local Health Unit of Alessandria, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Elena Vecchi
- Collective Prevention and Public Health Section—Directorate General for Personal Care, Health and Welfare—Emilia Romagna Region, 40100 Bologna, Italy
| | - Loredana Ferrero
- S.C. Health Directorate—P.O. Molinette—A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Daniela Filippi
- S.C. Health Directorate—P.O. Molinette—A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Finotto
- S.C. Health Directorate—P.O. Molinette—A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Elena Frassinelli
- S.C. Health Directorate—P.O. Molinette—A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Carlo Silvestre
- S.C. Health Directorate—P.O. Molinette—A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Susanna Zozzoli
- S.C. Health Directorate—P.O. Molinette—A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Simone Ambretti
- Microbiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Diegoli
- Collective Prevention and Public Health Section—Directorate General for Personal Care, Health and Welfare—Emilia Romagna Region, 40100 Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlo Gagliotti
- Regional Health and Social Agency—Emilia Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Moro
- Regional Health and Social Agency—Emilia Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Enrico Ricchizzi
- Regional Health and Social Agency—Emilia Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Tumietto
- UO Antimicrobial Stewardship—AUSL Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Russo
- Veneto Region, Directorate for Prevention, Veterinary Food Safety, 30123 Venice, Italy
| | - Michele Tonon
- Veneto Region, Directorate for Prevention, Veterinary Food Safety, 30123 Venice, Italy
| | - Francesco Maraglino
- Ministry of Health, Directorate General Health Prevention, Communicable Diseases and International Prophylaxis, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Rezza
- Ministry of Health, Directorate General Health Prevention, Communicable Diseases and International Prophylaxis, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Sabbatucci
- Ministry of Health, Directorate General Health Prevention, Communicable Diseases and International Prophylaxis, 00144 Rome, Italy
- Department Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
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