Multidrug-resistant Candida auris: 'new kid on the block' in hospital-associated infections?

A Chowdhary1, A Voss2, J F Meis2

  • 1Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.

Insights

Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant fungus, causes invasive infections globally. This review covers its epidemiology, identification challenges, and recommends hospital-specific infection control policies.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Emergence of Candida auris as a global health threat since 2009.
  • Increasing reports of invasive infections across multiple continents.
  • Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on Candida auris epidemiology.
  • To highlight challenges in accurate species identification.
  • To recommend strategies for infection prevention and control in healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of published studies on Candida auris.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data on invasive infections.
  • Evaluation of diagnostic methods for Candida auris identification.

Main Results:

  • Global spread of Candida auris with diverse resistance patterns.
  • Significant limitations in widely used diagnostic systems for accurate identification.
  • Need for standardized and validated identification methods.

Conclusions:

  • Hospitals must develop tailored policies for Candida auris prevention and control.
  • Further research is needed to address knowledge gaps in epidemiology and treatment.
  • Improved diagnostic accuracy is crucial for effective management of Candida auris infections.