What is deadly Fungus Candida Auris, that is Rapidly Spreading in US?

February 4, 2024

A deadly fungal infection called Candida auris is spreading rapidly in the United States. Recently, four people in Washington state tested positive. Despite being rare, doctors caution that infection can still be potentially hazardous due to its high fatality rate, drug resistance, and its ability to easily spread in healthcare facilities.

What is Candida auris?

Candida auris (C. auris) is a fungal pathogen that can cause serious infections in the bloodstream and other parts of the body. It’s considered a serious global health threat. C. auris is often resistant to antifungal medications, making it difficult to treat. In some cases, multiple antifungal medications at high doses may be needed to treat the infection. C. auris is spread in health care facilities through contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment, or from physical contact with a person who has C. auris. It can live on surfaces for several weeks. C. auris mostly affects patients with severe underlying medical conditions and requiring complex medical care. Patients with invasive medical devices such as breathing tubes, feeding tubes, catheters in a vein, or urinary catheters tend to be at increased risk. More than 1 in 3 patients with invasive C. auris infection die, thus it has very high fertility rate.
It often infects people who have weakened immune systems. The fungal infection is resistant to several common antifungal medications, making it difficult to treat.

Symptoms and Risk Factors

The symptoms of Candida auris infection depend on where in the body the infection occurs. Bloodstream infections can cause fever and chills. Infections in wounds may cause redness, pain and drainage. Symptoms are similar to other types of fungal infections.

People at highest risk include those who are hospitalized, especially patients who have feeding tubes, breathing tubes or catheters. Candida auris can spread easily in healthcare facilities and colonize the skin without making people sick. Colonized individuals can still transmit the fungus to others.

Recent U.S. Cases

Following the first confirmed case in Washington state in January, 2024, three more infections were reported recently. Prior to these cases, 2,377 Candida auris infections were reported in the U.S. in 2022 compared to just 53 in 2016. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization now consider it an urgent threat.

Prevention and Control

To prevent the spread of Candida auris, hospitals isolate infected patients in private rooms and use gowns, gloves and disinfectants. Frequent hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers before and after contact with patients is critical.

Cleaning hospital rooms with disinfectants that work against Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is recommended after patients with Candida auris are discharged. Caregivers and visitors should clean hands before entering and leaving patient rooms.

Treatment and Outcomes

Since Candida auris is often resistant to antifungal medications, treatment can be challenging. Testing is needed to determine which drugs may be effective. About 1 in 3 patients die within a month of infection. Outcomes depend on the patient’s overall health and underlying medical conditions.

Global Spread

First discovered in Japan in 2009, Candida auris has now spread to over 40 countries around the world. Infections have continued rising steeply in recent years. Its ability to spread in healthcare settings and persist on surfaces make it difficult to control. Improved infection prevention measures are critical to curb transmission.

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