Candida auris is a type of fungi that has gained significant attention over the past few years due to its ability to cause severe infections and outbreaks in healthcare facilities globally.

This fungus was first discovered in Japan back in 2009 and has since spread across several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, India, South Africa, and more.

What is Candida Auris?

Candida auris is a type of yeast that belongs to the Candida family.

This fungus is often referred to as a ‘superbug’ as it is resistant to several types of antifungal drugs used to treat candidiasis, making it challenging to manage and control. This fungus can cause severe infections that are difficult to diagnose, leading to high mortality rates.

How is Candida Auris Spread?

Candida auris can be spread from person to person through direct contact or contaminated surfaces.

Patients with weakened immunity, such as those in intensive care units (ICUs) or those with a history of recent surgery or prolonged hospitalization, are at a higher risk of contracting infections caused by Candida auris. Healthcare facilities are the primary sources of outbreaks as these settings provide an excellent environment for fungal growth.

Symptoms of Candida Auris Infection

Candida auris infection presents itself differently from person to person, making it difficult to diagnose. Some of the common symptoms of these infections include:.

Fevers that do not respond to antibiotics
Chills
Rashes on the skin
Ear drainage
Discharge from wounds
Blurred vision
Mental confusion
Hearing loss

Diagnosing Candida Auris Infections

It is challenging to diagnose candida auris infections, and many times, the symptoms can go unnoticed, leading to further complications.

The primary method of diagnosis is identifying the fungus from a clinical specimen, such as blood, urine, or respiratory samples. Healthcare providers will perform a culture test to identify the presence of fungus if a patient shows symptoms of a persistent infection that does not respond to antibiotics.

Current Treatment for Candida Auris

As mentioned before, candida auris is resistant to several types of antifungal drugs, making it challenging to treat.

Healthcare providers have been treating candida auris infections by using a combination of antifungal drugs or high doses of these drugs. Treatment can take several weeks, and in severe cases, the patient might need to be admitted to an ICU for supportive care.

Preventing the Spread of Candida Auris

The following measures can be taken to prevent the spread of candida auris:.

Regular hand hygiene – healthcare providers should wash their hands before and after treating each patient to avoid the spread of infectious agents.
Testing patients – healthcare providers should test patients who are at high risk of developing candida auris infections, such as those who have undergone recent surgery or have a weakened immune system.
Cleaning and disinfecting – healthcare facilities should clean and disinfect all surfaces and equipment regularly to avoid the spread of candida auris.
Isolating patients – healthcare providers should isolate patients who have already been diagnosed with candida auris infections to avoid spreading the fungus to other patients.

Conclusion

Candida auris is a potentially lethal fungus that has gained significant attention in recent years due to its ability to cause severe infections and outbreaks globally.

This fungus is resistant to several antifungal drugs, making it challenging to treat and control. Healthcare facilities need to take necessary measures to identify, isolate and treat patients who show symptoms of candida auris to avoid further outbreaks and mortality rates.