2023 Highlights
- Multidrug-resistant organisms continue to increase in MN, of particular concern is the increase in Carbapenem Producing Organisms (CPOs). These organisms require an immediate public health response to mitigate further spread in healthcare settings. There were 111 CPOs identified in 2023, compared to 88 in 2022.
- Community interviews for non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) identified several clusters, including an outbreak associated with tattoo ink. Whole genome sequencing confirmed relatedness among the cases and an epidemiologic investigation, including on-site environmental sampling, identified a shared ink bottle as the likely source.
- Invasive Candidemia surveillance noted a changed in the primary species identified among cases for the first time since surveillance began in 2017. The dominant species in 2023 was C. glabrata, a shift away from C. albicans.
- MN identified its first case of Candida auris not associated with healthcare outside of MN. C. auris still remains rare with five cases detected in 2023.
MDH participates in the Healthcare Associated-Community Interface (HAIC) surveillance program that is part of the CDC Emerging Infections Program (EIP). In 2023, MDH conducted active, population-based surveillance for the following:
- Clostridium difficile Infection Surveillance
- Multisite Gram-negative Surveillance Initiative (MuGSI) including:
- Carbapenem resistant Enterbacterales
- Carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter
- Invasive E. coli
- Invasive Staphylococus aureus
- Non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) surveillance
- Invasive Candidemia Infection Surveillance
MDH also conducted statewide surveillance for all Carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs) and initiated a containment response for all newly identified cases. Containment responses also were initiated for all identified Candida auris cases.