What is Candida auris?

Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen known for its unique ability to persist on human skin and spread rapidly in healthcare settings. First identified in 2009, it has since emerged as a major global public health concern.

Key Findings of the Study

• A recent study led by Indian researchers from Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, in collaboration with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), highlights the growing virulence and global spread of C. auris.
• The study was published in the journal Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews.
• Invasive fungal infections, including C. auris, affect approximately 6.5 million people globally every year.

High Mortality Rates

• These infections are associated with extremely high mortality, often exceeding 50%, even when antifungal treatment is administered.
• Hospitals and intensive care units are particularly vulnerable due to immunocompromised patients and invasive medical procedures.

Why is Candida auris Dangerous?

Researchers identified several survival strategies that make C. auris particularly lethal:

• Multidrug resistance, limiting treatment options
• Morphogenesis – ability to switch from yeast form to filamentous growth
• Multicellular aggregation, aiding persistence and spread
• Phenotypic plasticity, allowing genetic expression to change in response to environmental conditions

Global Spread and Public Health Concern

• C. auris has been reported across multiple continents, indicating rapid international transmission.
• Its resistance to commonly used antifungals and disinfectants complicates infection control efforts.