A dangerous and drug-resistant variety of the fungus Candida auris is becoming more infectious and spreading across the globe, a major new scientific review has warned. The pathogen poses a severe threat, particularly to those with weakened immune systems.
A Global Health Threat Emerges
First identified in 2009 in a patient's ear canal in Japan, Candida auris has since been detected in at least 61 countries across six continents. It was flagged as a major public health concern in India as early as 2014. Fungal infections affect an estimated 6.5 million people annually and are associated with a mortality rate exceeding 50%, even with treatment.
The review, published in the journal Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, highlights several alarming traits that enable the yeast's rapid spread. A key factor is its ability to colonise human skin "like glue", using specialised cell wall proteins. This colonisation is a critical medical concern as it facilitates transmission between patients within and across hospital settings.
Evading Treatment and Diagnosis
Candida auris employs a multi-pronged strategy to resist antifungal drugs and the human immune response. It can switch its growth form to enhance spread and is equipped with "efflux pumps" on its cell membrane that actively remove antifungal medications before they can work.
Furthermore, the fungus aggregates into slimy, resilient biofilm layers on surfaces, creating a barrier that drugs struggle to penetrate. Compounding the problem, diagnosis is often delayed due to frequent misidentification in lab tests, leading to critical setbacks in starting the correct antifungal therapy.
Call for Action and New Treatments
The scientists underscore an urgent need for a coordinated global response. They call for improved surveillance and awareness, especially in resource-poor nations, alongside the development of novel broad-spectrum antifungal drugs, better diagnostic tools, and immune-based therapies.
There is a glimmer of hope, however, as the review notes that three new drugs currently in clinical trials could soon become available to combat this formidable infection. The fight against Candida auris demands heightened vigilance and innovation in medical science to curb its deadly advance.
