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Candida auris Colonization in Hospitalized Patients at a Tertiary Care Center in Saudi Arabia: Clinical

Abdullah A Awadh1,2,3, Albaraa A Alsharif1, Saad H Alahmari1

  • 1College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Open Forum Infectious Diseases
|July 11, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study found that older patients with multiple health conditions and longer hospital stays were more likely to be colonized by Candida auris (a concerning fungal pathogen). Higher mortality was observed in infected individuals, highlighting the need for targeted screening in Saudi Arabia.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mycology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Candida auris is a globally significant emerging fungal pathogen.
  • Limited data exists on Candida auris epidemiology in the Middle East.
  • This study focuses on Saudi Arabia to characterize C. auris colonization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the clinical profile of Candida auris colonization.
  • To identify predictors of C. auris colonization in hospitalized patients.
  • To determine the outcomes associated with C. auris colonization.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of 322 patients screened for C. auris (2019-2025).
  • Comparison of baseline characteristics between C. auris positive (n=107) and negative (n=215) patients.
  • Logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of C. auris positivity.

Main Results:

  • C. auris positivity rate was 33.2%, with a decline observed over time.
  • Positive patients were older (median 70 vs 59 years) and had longer hospital stays (median 124 vs 21 days).
  • Advanced age and longer length of stay were significant predictors; all-cause in-hospital mortality was higher (51.4% vs 25.1%).

Conclusions:

  • Candida auris-positive patients present with advanced age, multimorbidity, and prolonged hospitalization.
  • Higher all-cause mortality is associated with C. auris colonization.
  • Findings support targeted screening of high-risk populations in healthcare facilities within the Gulf region.
Keywords:
Candida auriscolonizationmortalitynosocomial infectionrisk factors

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