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The emerging pathogen Candida auris: A focus on the Middle-Eastern countries

Wadha Alfouzan1, Rita Dhar2, Ahmed Albarrag3

  • 1Microbiology Unit, Department of Laboratories, Farwania Hospital, Kuwait; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait.

Journal of Infection and Public Health
|April 20, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Multidrug-resistant Candida auris is a growing global health threat. This study highlights its limited reporting in the Middle East, where it causes severe bloodstream infections with high mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen.
  • It causes difficult-to-control nosocomial infections with high mortality.
  • Global spread since 2009, but limited data from the Middle East.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review reported cases of Candida auris in the Middle East.
  • To analyze patient demographics, clinical presentation, and outcomes.
  • To assess antifungal susceptibility patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search for Candida auris cases in the Middle East over the past three years.
  • Analysis of reported patient data including comorbidities and infection types.
  • In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of isolates.

Main Results:

  • Six Middle Eastern countries reported cases: Kuwait, Israel, Oman, KSA, UAE, and Iran.
  • All reported patients were adults with comorbidities.
  • Majority had bloodstream infections with a 60% crude mortality rate.
  • All isolates were misidentified by commercial systems, requiring specialized identification.
  • 100% of strains were resistant to fluconazole; variable resistance to other antifungals.

Conclusions:

  • Candida auris poses a significant public health concern in the Middle East.
  • Accurate identification and antifungal stewardship are crucial.
  • Further surveillance and research are needed to combat this pathogen.
Keywords:
Antifungal susceptibilityC. aurisCandidemiaMiddle-EastMortalityVirulence

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