Deadly fungus candida auris cases detected in 27 US states — Who is at risk, symptoms, treatment and more
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently release findings on deadly fungus Candida auris, suggesting that its strain has been detected in 27
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently release findings on deadly fungus Candida auris, suggesting that its strain has been detected in 27 US states so far this year. With immune suppression being an important driver of fungal virulence, increasing drug resistance and the lack of effective vaccines or treatments have made Candida auris a cause of concern. What is Candida auris? Candida auris, which is also known as C auris, is a type of yeast that can cause severe illness. According to the CDC, it spreads easily among those who are very ill in healthcare facilities. Designated as critical priority fungal pathogens by the World Health Organisation (WHO), this deadly fungus can cause a wide a range of infections. White blood cells produce reactive nitrogen species (RNS) to kill invading microbes, but this superbug fungus actively suppresses their production and causes skin infections, and severe life-threatening infections, such as bloodstream infections.
Candida auris cases The US national public health agency said that there have been 3,437 cases of Candida auris (C auris) identified until 25 July. As compared to the previous year, there is a decline of around 1,000 detected cases. Last year, the figure stood at 4,290 during the same period. California recorded the highest number of cases, leading with 873, followed by Texas with 433 and Tennessee with 283, ABC reported citing CDC data. Although the rate of C auris cases continue to increase every year, but the rate of increase has slowed since 2022, as per CDC. Hence, a rise in the number of reported cases does not mean the fungus is transmitting at a more rapid pace than usual. How does one catch Candida auris infection? First discovered in 1996 by Korean researchers, C auris is a communicable disease which transmits through direct contact with an infected or colonized person, or indirectly via contaminated room surfaces, such as doorknobs, bedrails and shared medical equipment.
Moreover, this fungus can survive on surfaces and objects for a long time and spread to patients. It can spread directly though physical contact with patients who are infected and those who have the fungus in their skin or other body areas without symptoms. C auris was formally identified as a new speciesin 2009 in Japan. Who is more at risk? Even though the mortality rate of C auris is estimated to be between 30% and 60% but "it is hard to know how much C. auris contributed to their death compared to other pre-existing illnesses," CDC said observing that most patients who contract the infection were already ill. Healthy people need not worry about C auris infections as those with weakened immune systems and immunocompromised people are more at risk, as per experts.
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