Description
Why It’s Done:
This test helps:
• Guide appropriate antifungal therapy by identifying which of the five drugs will be most effective.
• Detect drug-resistant strains of Candida, especially Candida auris, which is known for multidrug resistance.
• Assist in treatment planning for patients with invasive candidiasis, recurrent infections, or those not responding to standard treatment.
• Reduce the risk of treatment failure by avoiding ineffective antifungal medications.
• Support clinical decision-making in immunocompromised or critically ill patients.
Common drugs tested may include fluconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, and amphotericin B, though the exact panel can vary by lab.
Preparation:
• No direct preparation is needed from the patient.
• The test is done on the Candida strain isolated from a previously collected sample.
• There is no need for fasting or special precautions, as the lab uses the fungal culture for testing.
