Contents
Candida auris is a super fungus that has epidemic potential. The American CDC said that more than 120 cases of infection have already been detected this year. The data is worrying because Candida auris fungi do not respond to drugs and the mortality is very high.
- Over 120 drug-resistant «super fungus» infections in the US this year. Doctors and scientists fear an epidemic because Candida auris has the potential to spread
- The most vulnerable to infection are people who are hospitalized for a long time, taking antibiotics for a long time, people suffering from chronic diseases or those with reduced immunity.
- The COVID-19 pandemic lasting over a year left drug-resistant pathogens in good conditions to spread
- You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page
The wave of “super fungus” infections in the USA
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that more than 2021 cases of Candida auris infections have been recorded so far in 120. The outbreaks were located in hospitals and nursing homes for seniors. At least three patients have died.
According to the CDC, 30 percent died within 30 days of the infection being detected. sick. Importantly, people with reduced immunity and chronic diseases are the most vulnerable to severe infection.
In February, the CDC alerted that Candida auris posed “a serious threat to health worldwide.”
The CDC is concerned about this fungus for three main reasons:
- it is often resistant to drugs, including antifungal agents (some strains of C. auris are resistant to all three available classes of antifungal drugs);
- it is difficult to identify using standard laboratory methods, and often misdiagnoses are made, which makes effective treatment difficult;
- causes outbreaks of epidemics in health care facilities, e.g. hospitals. For this reason, it is important to quickly identify C. auris in a hospitalized patient so that healthcare facilities can take special precautions to contain the spread of the pathogen.
Candida auris is a new species of yeast of the genus Candida. Typically, these yeast-like fungi are part of the human physiological flora. They naturally occur on the skin and mucous membranes. Under favorable conditions, they can become a source of mycoses with a complicated course. The most vulnerable to the development of candidiasis are people who are hospitalized for a long time, taking antibiotics for a long time, people suffering from chronic diseases or those with reduced immunity.
C. auris is a particularly dangerous species due to its high epidemic potential. It spreads easily due to its high survival rate on the skin and its ability to survive long term in a hospital environment. It is also resistant to many disinfectants.
— It’s an almost perfect pathogen – said Johanna Rhodes, an epidemiologist from Imperial College London in an interview with the «New Scientist». “One of the things that makes Candida auris so terrifying is the fact that it can linger on surfaces for a long time and endure anything,” explained the expert. Mushrooms can remain viable on surfaces for 28 days despite several disinfections.
- See also: Superbacteria resistant to all antibiotics are on the move in Poland
The COVID-19 pandemic, which has been going on for more than a year, has led scientists to talk more and more about other potential threats. One of them may be C. auris, but also other drug-resistant fungi and bacteria. Why? In recent months, all efforts have been made to fight the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Unfortunately, as a result, other pathogens are not monitored as often and accurately. It is not known to what extent they have spread in recent months.
The New York Times notes that C. auris may also have “helped” the frequent use of steroid drugs for COVID-19. These preparations help infected patients, but it must be remembered that they weaken the immune system, which creates ideal conditions for the multiplication of fungi and bacteria.
According to specialists, we already need to think about how to effectively deal with treatment-resistant fungal infections. As «New Scientist» writes, it is C. auris that causes great concern among scientists.
Candida auris infection
C. auris contributes to the formation of various types of infections. In 2009, it was discovered in Japan as a causative agent of otitis externa. It can also contribute to the development of invasive candidiasis and nosocomial bloodstream infection. C. auris can also infect the respiratory system, central nervous system and internal organs.
Due to the difficulties in diagnosis – correct diagnosis of yeast infection requires modern diagnostic methods – C. auris infection is often confused with other types of infections, leading to inappropriate treatment.
It is estimated that up to 60 percent have died worldwide. patients infected with this yeast species. The CDC report shows that isolated cases of C. auris infection have been reported in Poland. «We must act now» warns the magazine.
Yeast resistant to treatment
C. auris is dangerous not only because it spreads quickly, but also because it is highly drug resistant. They are 100 percent. resistant to fluconazole, 73% on voriconazole and 47 percent. to flucytosine. Immunity depends on the strain of this species. Many of them are characterized by the so-called multi-drug resistance.
The fact that the infection is difficult to diagnose correctly also makes it difficult to choose a treatment. It is recommended to isolate patients infected with C. auris, and due to the ease of transmission and high survival rate on the skin and objects, staff, family and hospital patients themselves should consistently follow infection control recommendations.
The risk of infection of healthy family members is low, even if they are exposed to the sick for a long time. Nevertheless, they should wash their hands frequently, use disinfectants and wear gloves when caring for the sick person.
This may interest you:
- The doctor who discovered Ebola warns. «Disease X» still ahead of us?
- Another pandemic? Scientists are very concerned about this virus
- Plague, black pox, cholera, the greatest pandemics in the history of the world
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.