Candida auris is a newly emerging yeast, which is raising public health concerns due to its outbreak potential, lack of protocols for decontamination and isolation of patients or contacts, increased resistance to common antifungals, and associated high mortality. This research aimed to describe the challenges related to identifying the outbreak, limiting further contamination, and treating affected individuals. We retrospectively analyzed all cases of C. auris detected between October 2022 and August 2023, but our investigation focused on a three-month-long outbreak in the department of cardio-vascular surgery and the related intensive care unit. Along with isolated cases in different wards, we identified 13 patients who became infected or colonized in the same area and time, even though the epidemiological link could only be traced in 10 patients, according to the epidemiologic investigation. In conclusion, our study emphasizes the substantial challenge encountered in clinical practice when attempting to diagnose and limit the spread of an outbreak. Therefore, it is crucial to promptly apply contact precaution measures and appropriate environmental cleaning, from the first positive case detected.

C. auris is a newly emerging yeast, raising public health concerns due to its outbreak potential, lack of protocols for decontamination and isolation of patients or contacts, increased resistance to common antifungals and associated high mortality. This research aimed to describe the challenges related to identifying the outbreak, limiting further contamination, and treating affected individuals. We retrospectively analysed all cases of C. auris detected between October 2022 and August 2023, but our investigation focused on a three-month-long outbreak in the department of cardio-vascular surgery and the related intensive care unit. Along with isolated cases in different wards, we identified 13 patients who became infected or colonized in the same area and time, even though the epidemiological link could be traced only in 10 patients, according to the epidemiological investigation. In conclusion, our study emphasizes the substantial challenge encountered in clinical practice when attempting to diagnose and limit the spread of an outbreak. Therefore, it is crucial to promptly apply contact precaution measures and appropriate environmental cleaning, from the first case detected positive.

HZO (Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus) is defined as the reactivation of VZV (Varicella Zoster Virus) in the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve, leading to the appearance of well-demarcated erythematousvesicular lesions along the dermatome. Antiviral therapy is mandatory and preferably initiated within the first 72 hours of the rash onset, as it is most effective in preventing ocular involvement. Raising awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and management of herpes zoster ophthalmicus, with the involvement of an ophthalmologist is critical in limiting visual morbidity. We present a 40-year-old patient without significant medical history or background treatment, immunocompetent, whose symptoms began suddenly with a few erythematous- vesicular lesions on the left fronto-parietal scalp preceded by burning pain and hyperesthesia. At her first medical exam, she was recommended antiviral treatment with oral acyclovir and cortisone. She was admitted in our clinic 48 hours from the onset, with the extension of the lesions to the left forehead and peri-orbital, periorbital itching, left occipital hypoesthesia, and painful pre-, retro-auricular, and left latero-cervical lymphadenopathy. Intravenous antiviral treatment with acyclovir was started (7 days), and corticosteroid therapy was discontinued, with a favorable outcome. The particularity of this case lies in the reactivation of VZV in an immunocompetent patient, with a sudden onset and rapid progression. Additionally, the initial suspicion of diagnosis was not supported by the subsequent course of the disease, and corticosteroid treatment was discontinued. It is important to perform a differential diagnosis correlated with each stage of the disease to avoid inappropriate therapeutic management, which can have long-term adverse effects on the patient.