Faculty member contributes to international recommendations on drug-resistant fungus in children

Zoi Dorothea Pana, Professor of Paediatric Epidemiology and Associate Dean for Research, recently contributed to the development of the new international recommendations on the prevention and control of the fungus Candida auris in paediatric settings.

Professor Pana was selected by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), one of the world’s leading professional organisations in infection prevention and healthcare epidemiology, to serve on the multidisciplinary expert panel tasked with developing the recommendations.

The resulting paper titled ‘Infection prevention and control of Candida auris in paediatric settings’ was published in the journal Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology, adressing a major gap in paediatric infection prevention guidance for this emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality.

The recommendations provide comprehensive guidance on paediatric risk factors and care as well as screening practices, isolation precautions, caregiver–infant and caregiver–child considerations, room placement, breastfeeding and skin-to-skin practices, visitation, the use of shared spaces, environmental cleaning and disinfection, and the management of medical and non-medical equipment, including toys.

Professor Pana’s selection by SHEA reflects the international recognition of her expertise in infectious diseases and paediatric infection prevention and highlights the university’s growing international research profile.