A drug-resistant strain of the fungus Candida auris is becoming more infectious and spreading worldwide, according to a new scientific review. The fungus, which can cause deadly infections in people with weakened immune systems, was first identified in Japan in 2009 and has since been found in at least 61 countries across six continents.
The review, published in Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, highlights several traits that enable the fungus to spread rapidly. Candida auris can switch from a yeast-like form to a filament-driven growth, aiding drug resistance. It also produces cell wall proteins that allow it to stick to human skin, facilitating colonisation and transmission within hospitals.
The fungus employs 'efflux pumps' on its cell membrane to expel antifungal drugs before they can take effect, and it forms slimy biofilm layers that protect it from treatment. Misidentification of infections often delays appropriate therapy, the review notes.
Fungal infections affect nearly 6.5 million people annually, with mortality rates exceeding 50 per cent even with treatment. The review calls for improved surveillance, especially in resource-poor countries, and highlights three new drugs in clinical trials that could become available soon.
