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Candida auris, what do paediatricians need to know?
Abstract:
The newly recognised and emerging fungal species, Candida auris, has caused worldwide invasive infections and has been implicated in difficult to control hospital outbreaks. Challenges are encountered in the correct identification of this fungus as commonly used phenotypic and biochemical methods fail to differentiate C. auris from other Candida species. Its resistance profile, over 90% of isolates are fluconazole resistant and 35% are resistant to amphotericin, confronts clinicians with the restricted arsenal of antifungals and concerns about optimal treatment. The very first C. auris isolate was recovered from a paediatric patient in retrospect. Although infections with the more antifungal-resistant Candida species are less frequently observed in paediatric patients, this seems to be different for C. auris infections.
Insights
The emerging fungus Candida auris causes difficult-to-treat invasive infections and hospital outbreaks. This antifungal-resistant yeast poses diagnostic and treatment challenges, even in pediatric cases.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Candida auris is a newly identified fungal pathogen causing global invasive infections and hospital outbreaks.
- Accurate identification of C. auris is challenging due to limitations in standard phenotypic and biochemical methods.
- C. auris exhibits high resistance to common antifungals like fluconazole and amphotericin B, limiting treatment options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the diagnostic and treatment challenges posed by Candida auris.
- To emphasize the increasing concern of C. auris infections, including in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature and clinical data on Candida auris.
- Analysis of identification methods and antifungal resistance profiles.
- Examination of reported cases, including pediatric instances.
Main Results:
- Standard diagnostic methods frequently misidentify C. auris.
- Over 90% of C. auris isolates show fluconazole resistance, and 35% are resistant to amphotericin B.
- C. auris infections are occurring in pediatric patients, contrary to trends seen with other resistant Candida species.
Conclusions:
- There is an urgent need for improved diagnostic tools for C. auris.
- Effective treatment strategies for C. auris infections require careful consideration due to widespread antifungal resistance.
- The emergence of C. auris in pediatric populations warrants further investigation and specific clinical vigilance.
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