St Thomas’ Hospital accelerates Candida auris detection and isolation using Vivalytics PCR platform

Désirée Prossomariti, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, details the transformative impact of switching from culture-based testing to PCR for managing patients with Candida auris – an emerging infectious disease caused by a fungal pathogen that poses significant risk in hospital settings. Learn about limitations of traditional detection methods, the outbreak at St Thomas’ Hospital that prompted change, and the successful implementation of Vivalytic automated, cartridge-based PCR assays from Randox, which drastically reduced turnaround times from over 90 hours to just 26. This shift enabled faster patient isolation, reduced strain on biomedical scientists, and improved overall outbreak control. Prossomariti also shares operational insights and encourages other hospitals to consider PCR adoption for better patient management. Craig Ryan, Molecular Product Manager at Randox Laboratories Ltd., details how other hospitals can gain support from the company to make the switch to PCR.

SelectScience interview filmed at the IBMS Congress 2025 in Birmingham, UK.