What is Candida auris? Warning as 'killer fungus' becomes more infectious worldwide and drug-resistant
Scientists have sent a warning about a growing number of cases of a deadly fungal infection that is becoming increasingly resistant to drug treatment.
Cases of Candida auris have been surging across the world over the past decade, with the World Health Organisation designating it as a critical priority fungal pathogen in 2022.
A new review has seen scientists uncover new research into the fungus, showing that it is becoming increasingly more infectious and drug-resistant. A study in the Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews said: “The diagnosis of C. auris infections is often hampered by misidentification, leading to delays in starting appropriate antifungal therapy.
“Taken together, these data underscore the need to develop novel antifungal agents with broad-spectrum activity against human fungal pathogens, to improve diagnostic tests, and to develop immune- and vaccine-based adjunct modalities for the treatment of high-risk patients.”
What is Candida auris?
Candida auris is a fungus which grow as a yeast. It is one of the few species of Candidozyma which causes the condition candidiasis in humans.
This yeast infection can cause severe illness among vulnerable patients, including skin infections, and even more life-threatening conditions such as blood infections. What makes Candida auris particularly serious is that it is often resistant to antifungal medications, which makes treating the condition difficult in some cases.
There is no set symptoms of contracting Candida auris as it may depend on the infection site. However, those who do contract the fungal infection may experience fevers.
Those at the highest risk of contracting the possibly deadly fungus include patients receiving treatment in healthcare settings with poor immune systems.
One risk of infection is the fact that Candida auris can survive on surfaces for a long period of time after it first comes into contact. This, added with the fact that some people may not experience any symptoms, means that the infection can be spread easily.
The fungus was first discovered in 2009 in the ear canal of a patient in Japan. This quickly spread to other countries, with Candida auris now found in 61 countries. In 2014, India declare a major health threat over the infection, while there have been several outbreaks in UK hospitals since 2015.