Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medications used to cure them. This makes infections harder to treat and increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. It does not necessarily mean that a germ is resistant to all antimicrobial treatments, but over time, this can become a concern. AR pathogens can cause healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which are infections that patients can get while receiving healthcare. HAIs can occur in many different kinds of healthcare facilities. HAIs can be caused by a wide variety of common and unusual organisms.
The County of San Diego HAI program is dedicated to reducing the burden of HAIs and AR pathogens in healthcare systems. On this page, healthcare workers can learn more about AR Pathogens that threaten our healthcare systems and how to prevent the spread.
On this page
[kan·duh·duh—aa·ruhs]
C. auris is an emerging AR fungus that presents a serious global health threat.
What is C. auris?
- C. auris was first identified in San Diego County in 2021.
- C. auris is a fungal pathogen that can cause serious infections. It can spread in healthcare facilities.
- Patients can carry C. auris on their bodies, even if it is not making them sick. This is called colonization.
- When people in hospitals and nursing homes are colonized with C. auris, it can spread to other people or contaminate the patient care environment and equipment.
Why is C. auris a concern?
- C. auris is often multidrug-resistant, meaning that Candida infections may no longer respond to the medicines used to treat them.
- It has caused outbreaks in healthcare settings. Therefore, it is important to identify C. auris so that healthcare facilities can take special precautions to stop its spread.
How can the spread of C. auris be prevented?
- Carefully follow infection control measures as outlined by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for
C. auris
- Good hand hygiene
- Contact precautions
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect the patient care environment and equipment with an effective disinfectant
- Inter-facility communication of people's status of C. aruis
- Screening high-risk patients
- Lab surveillance
Candida Auris (C. auris) Frequently Asked Questions for Patients and Family Members
English | معلومات باللغة العربية (Arabic) | 中文信息 (Chinese) | علومات به زبان دری (Dari) | فارسی (Farsi) | 한국어 정보 (Korean) | Macluumaad Af-Soomaali ah (Somali) | Español (Spanish) | Impormasyon sa Tagalog (Tagalog) | Thông Tin Bằng Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
Candida Auris (C. auris) What Healthcare Staff Should Know
English | معلومات باللغة العربية (Arabic) | 中文信息 (Chinese) | علومات به زبان دری (Dari) | فارسی (Farsi) | 한국어 정보 (Korean) | Macluumaad Af-Soomaali ah (Somali) | Español (Spanish) | Impormasyon sa Tagalog (Tagalog) | Thông Tin Bằng Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH) HAI Program — C. auris
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — C. auris
[kaar·buh·peh·nuhm —ruh·zi·stnt—a·suh·neh·tuh·bak·tr—bow·maa·nee]
CRAB is a type of bacteria that can be resistant to many of the antibiotics available.
- Acinetobacter is a group of bacteria (germs) commonly found in the environment, (e.g., soil and water). While there are many types, the most common cause of infections is Acinetobacter baumannii, which accounts for most Acinetobacter infections in humans. Acinetobacter baumannii can cause infections in the blood, urinary tract, lungs, wounds, or other parts of the body. It can also colonize, or live on a person, especially in their respiratory secretions (sputum) or open wounds without causing infections or symptoms.
Why is CRAB a concern?
- Carbapenems are a class of very powerful antibiotics, often only used to treat severe infections.
- Acinetobacter, and many other bacteria, are able to adapt quickly so antibiotics are not effective in treating infections, including carbapenem antibiotics. This results in the inability to effectively treat infections caused by CRAB, and other similar pathogens.
How can the spread of CRAB be prevented?
- Carefully follow infection control measures as outlined by
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for
CRAB.
- Good hand hygiene
- Contact precautions
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect the patient care environment and equipment with an effective disinfectant
- Inter-facility communication of people's status of CRAB
- Screening high-risk patients
- Lab surveillance
CRAB Frequently Asked Questions for Patients and Family Members
English | معلومات باللغة العربية (Arabic) | 中文信息 (Chinese) | علومات به زبان دری (Dari) | فارسی (Farsi) | 한국어 정보 (Korean) | Macluumaad Af-Soomaali ah (Somali) | Español (Spanish) | Impormasyon sa Tagalog (Tagalog) | Thông Tin Bằng Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
CRAB What Healthcare Staff Should Know
English | معلومات باللغة العربية (Arabic) | 中文信息 (Chinese) | علومات به زبان دری (Dari) | فارسی (Farsi) | 한국어 정보 (Korean) | Macluumaad Af-Soomaali ah (Somali) | Español (Spanish) | Impormasyon sa Tagalog (Tagalog) | Thông Tin Bằng Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
- CDPH HAI Program
- General Information
- CDC
- General Information
CRE Frequently Asked Questions for Patients and Family Members
English | معلومات باللغة العربية (Arabic) | 中文信息 (Chinese) | علومات به زبان دری (Dari) | فارسی (Farsi) | 한국어 정보 (Korean) | Macluumaad Af-Soomaali ah (Somali) | Español (Spanish) | Impormasyon sa Tagalog (Tagalog) | Thông Tin Bằng Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
CRE What Healthcare Staff Should Know
English | معلومات باللغة العربية (Arabic) | 中文信息 (Chinese) | علومات به زبان دری (Dari) | فارسی (Farsi) | 한국어 정보 (Korean) | Macluumaad Af-Soomaali ah (Somali) | Español (Spanish) | Impormasyon sa Tagalog (Tagalog) | Thông Tin Bằng Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
CRPA Frequently Asked Questions for Patients and Family Members
English | معلومات باللغة العربية (Arabic) | 中文信息 (Chinese) | علومات به زبان دری (Dari) | فارسی (Farsi) | 한국어 정보 (Korean) | Macluumaad Af-Soomaali ah (Somali) | Español (Spanish) | Impormasyon sa Tagalog (Tagalog) | Thông Tin Bằng Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
CRPA What Healthcare Staff Should Know
English | معلومات باللغة العربية (Arabic) | 中文信息 (Chinese) | علومات به زبان دری (Dari) | فارسی (Farsi) | 한국어 정보 (Korean) | Macluumaad Af-Soomaali ah (Somali) | Español (Spanish) | Impormasyon sa Tagalog (Tagalog) | Thông Tin Bằng Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
For more information, contact the San Diego HAI program through our contact form, via e-mail at phs.hai.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov, or call the Epidemiology Unit at (619) 692-8499.