Candida Auris

About Candida Auris

Candida auris is a multidrug resistant fungal pathogen first described in 2009 from the ear canal of a patient in Japan. The yeast has since emerged globally on six continents. C auris is concerning because it is often resistant to fluconazole and other antifungals, persists in healthcare environments, and causes outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes. Reported mortality among patients with invasive C auris infection ranges from about 30 to 60 percent, often reflecting serious underlying illness. The CDC declared C auris an urgent threat in 2019. Clinical cases reported in the US rose from 53 in 2016 to more than 2,000 in 2022. The yeast spreads through contact with contaminated surfaces and person to person. Hospitals use specialized disinfection including UV light. Researchers have proposed that climate change may have contributed to the near simultaneous emergence of C auris on three continents, as the yeast adapted to higher temperatures. Infections are treated by clinicians with antifungal drugs, though resistance to all major antifungal classes has been documented in some isolates. The CDC and WHO have prioritized C auris as a critical threat requiring urgent action.