Candidiasis is the common name for diseases produced by the yeast of the genus Candida. This is the most frequently found yeast in human microbiome and can cause disease at different sites of the human anatomy with diverse severity. Invasive candidiasis refers to severe fungal infections in which the yeast might be found in deep organs or bloodstream. Despite advances in antifungal therapy, the mortality associated with invasive candidiasis remains as high as 40% which makes it the leading cause of mortality.
Fast diagnosis plays a crucial role in the outcome of these bloodstream infections and so, the prompt detection of bacteraemia and fungemia is a critical function of the clinical microbiology laboratory. The blood culture represents a critical tool for the detection of bloodstream infections.
There are many pathogenic Candida species. They can be found in the ground, animals, fruits and vegetables, and even in the hospital environment. In fact, invasive Candida infections are the 4th leading cause of hospital infections. The infection has a huge impact on life quality of patients and health care expenditures.
CandidaHunter is a nanotechnology-based blood culture medium where Matriks Biotek enhances the gold standard sensitivity up to 80% (where conventional blood cultures are 50%) and decreasing the 72 hours diagnosis period to 24 hours. CandidaHunter is a combination of culture-based and molecular technologies. With its molecular technology, CandidaHunter detects the deep-seated and disseminated diseases where conventional blood culture fails. In addition, it is planned to develop an alternative approach to Candida diagnosis without requiring mechanical equipment.
