Candida auris is a fungus that is rapidly emerging as a deadly threat to public health. First identified in 2009 in Japan, the fungus has spread to more than 30 countries around the world and has caused severe infections in vulnerable patients.

Despite efforts to contain its spread, Candida auris continues to pose a challenge to healthcare systems, causing outbreaks in hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities.

What is Candida Auris?

Candida auris is a multi-drug resistant fungus that belongs to the Candida species.

Like other Candida species, it can cause infections typically in individuals with weakened immune systems, including the elderly, newborns, and those with underlying medical conditions. However, Candida auris is unique in its resistance to antifungal drugs, making it difficult to treat.

Candida auris is a fungus that is difficult to detect, as it can be mistaken for other types of yeast infections. Symptoms of Candida auris infections vary depending on the site of the infection.

For bloodstream infections, patients may experience fever and chills, while those with ear or wound infections experience pain and discharge. In some cases, the infection can spread beyond the skin and cause invasive infections that are difficult to treat.

How Does Candida Auris Spread?

Candida auris is easily spread in healthcare facilities, as it colonizes skin and surfaces in patient rooms, on medical equipment, and on the hands of healthcare workers.

Patients who are already ill or have weakened immune systems are at high risk of infection. In addition, Candida auris can survive for long periods of time on inanimate objects, increasing the likelihood of transmission.

Candida auris can also spread through contaminated fluids and medical devices, such as catheters and ventilators. It has been shown to spread between patients, as well as to family members and visitors.

The fungus can survive in the environment for prolonged periods, making it difficult to eradicate.

Candida Auris Outbreaks

Candida auris outbreaks have been reported in healthcare facilities around the world, including hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities.

The first outbreak in the United States occurred in 2016, with subsequent outbreaks reported in other states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified Candida auris as a serious global health threat, and is urging healthcare providers to take aggressive measures to prevent its spread.

In 2020, a drug-resistant strain of Candida auris was identified in the United Kingdom, which has been linked to four deaths. This strain is resistant to all three major classes of antifungal drugs, making it especially difficult to treat.

Preventing and Treating Candida Auris Infections

Preventing and controlling Candida auris infections is a major challenge for healthcare providers.

The most effective ways to prevent its spread is through strict infection control practices, such as hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and use of personal protective equipment. It is also important to identify and isolate infected patients, and to track and report outbreaks to local and national health authorities.

Treating Candida auris infections is difficult due to its resistance to antifungal drugs. Most strains of Candida auris are resistant to one or more classes of antifungal drugs, and some strains are resistant to all three major classes of drugs.

Treatment options are limited, and may require the use of combination therapy or multi-step approaches.

Conclusion

Candida auris is a serious global health threat that requires urgent attention and action. It can spread easily in healthcare facilities, causing severe infections in vulnerable patients.

Preventing and controlling its spread requires a multi-faceted approach that involves strict infection control practices and early detection of infections. In addition, new therapies and treatments are needed to combat the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains of this deadly fungus.