Candida auris: A focused review for emergency clinicians

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Candida auris is an emerging global pathogen posing a significant threat to human health.
• This fungus presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its antifungal resistance and virulence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide emergency clinicians with a focused overview of Candida auris.
• To highlight key aspects of C. auris for effective patient management in emergency settings.

Main Methods:

• This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on C. auris.
• Information was gathered on epidemiology, transmission, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment.

Main Results:

• C. auris, identified in 2009, is globally prevalent and exhibits high rates of antifungal resistance (>90% to fluconazole).
• It causes diverse infections including candidemia, device-associated infections, and wound infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
• Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is optimal for diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of C. auris requires understanding its characteristics, resistance patterns, and transmission routes.
• Prevention strategies, including screening and stringent infection control practices, are crucial.
• Emergency clinicians require this knowledge for optimal care of patients with C. auris infection or colonization.