CANDIDA
AURIS – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
News:
Researchers from Singapore General Hospital (SGH), A*STAR's Genome Institute of
Singapore (GIS), and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University
of Singapore (NUS Medicine) have discovered a new clade of Candida auris,
raising the total known clades to six.
- This finding enhances the
understanding of Candida auris diversity and its public health
implications.
What’s
in the news?
Candida Auris
- Candida auris, often abbreviated as
C. auris, is a pathogenic fungus that poses a
significant threat to public health worldwide.
- It was first identified in Japan in
2009, it has since been found in multiple countries, raising alarms among
health professionals due to its high transmissibility and resistance to
multiple antifungal drugs.
- Candida auris is a species of fungus
known for causing severe infections, particularly in
hospitalized patients with underlying medical conditions.
- It is highly transmissible and
challenging to eradicate, making it a critical concern in healthcare
settings.
- The fungus can survive on surfaces
for extended periods, facilitating its spread in
hospitals and nursing homes.
- The mortality rate associated
with auris infections is estimated to be between 30% and
60%.
Recent
Discoveries
- A team of researchers from
Singapore General Hospital, A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore, and
the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of
Singapore recently identified a new clade (type) of C. auris, bringing the
total known clades to six.
- This discovery highlights the
evolving nature of this pathogen and the need for continuous monitoring
and research.
Transmissions:
- Most cases of the fungus Candida
auris have been reported in healthcare environments,
such as hospitals and nursing homes.
- It is primarily thought to spread
through contact with contaminated surfaces or via person-to-person
transmission.
- Individuals with pre-existing medical
conditions, recent hospitalizations, or those with invasive devices are at
a higher risk of contracting this fungus.
Impacts-
Two ways:
- Asymptomatic Colonization:
The fungus may colonize specific areas such as the skin, rectum, or mouth
without causing any symptoms. In this state, individuals can still spread
the fungus to others.
- Invasive Infections:
The fungus can penetrate the bloodstream or wounds, leading to severe
infections.
Common
Symptoms
- The symptoms of auris infections
often resemble those of other common illnesses, making diagnosis
challenging.
- The most common symptoms include
persistent fever and chills that do not improve with antibiotic treatment.
Treatment
- Most auris infections
can be treated with antifungal medications known
as echinocandins. However, some strains have developed resistance to
standard antifungal treatments, complicating treatment efforts.
- In such cases, a combination of
multiple antifungals at high doses may be
necessary to manage the infection effectively.
Public
Health Implications
- The recent identification of a sixth
clade of C. auris necessitates improved
surveillance capabilities and the development of new methods to augment
existing strategies.
- Enhanced genomic and metagenomic
research, combined with collaborative efforts among researchers and
clinicians, is crucial for effective pandemic preparedness and response.
Source:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-08-candida-auris-global-health-threat.html