Detecting drug-resistant Candida infections using advanced PCR techniques
Official title: Identifying drug-resistant Candida species using SuperSelective primer PCR
Funded at Hackensack University Medical Center · NIH-10745989 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new test to quickly find drug-resistant strains of Candida auris, a tough fungus that can make people very sick, so that doctors can provide the right treatment faster for those who need it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hackensack University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hackensack, United States) |
| Project start | November 25, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $203,741 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI174118-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10745989 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have been diagnosed with Candida auris infections or are at high risk for such infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-Candida auris fungal infections or those who do not have any fungal infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new diagnostic tool to identify drug-resistant strains of Candida auris, a serious fungal pathogen that poses a global health threat. The study aims to create SuperSelective PCR assays that can detect specific genetic mutations associated with antifungal resistance, even in the presence of a large amount of non-resistant DNA. By improving the sensitivity of detection, the research seeks to enable timely and effective treatment strategies for patients infected with this challenging organism.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses of drug-resistant Candida infections, allowing for more effective treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing sensitive diagnostic assays for fungal infections, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chauhan, Neeraj — Hackensack University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Chauhan, Neeraj
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.