An outbreak of Candida auris, a rare fungal infection, has caused concern in the United States. Recently, four people in Washington have tested positive for the deadly infection, although there have been no deaths since the first case was reported in July. Candida auris is known to spread in health care facilities and patients who spend long periods of time in hospitals are at risk. The fact that C. auris infections are resistant to three primary categories of antifungal drugs and may not show symptoms even after spreading throughout the body makes them difficult to treat. Although this infection is not very common, it can cause severe disease with a high mortality rate, is resistant to drugs and spreads very rapidly. (Also read | Outbreak of deadly Candida auris infection seen in Washington state; know its symptoms and prevention methods)
What is candida auris?
Candida auris was first identified in 2009 in discharge from the ear of a patient in Japan. According to the study, infection can last on surfaces for at least two weeks, while Covid can survive only for three days.
“Candida auris is a type of yeast that can cause serious infections, especially in hospital. This is worrying because it is often resistant to many antifungal drugs, making it difficult to treat. Symptoms of Candida auris infection may include fever, chills, and body aches. Treatment usually includes antifungal medications, but due to its resistance profile, treatment options may be limited. Management Strategies Health Care to Prevent Its Spread “We focus on infection control measures in the settings. It is important to closely follow updates from health authorities for the latest information and guidance regarding the outbreak,” Dr. Aditya S Chouti, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Cunningham. Road, Bengaluru says.
“Candida auris is a formidable fungal pathogen that causes outbreaks, particularly in health care facilities. It poses a significant threat due to its resistance to many antifungal drugs, making treatment challenging. It can persist on surfaces and infect patients. Its ability to spread between populations complicates containment efforts.” Says Dr Darshan Reddy, MBBS, MD, DNB Internal Medicine, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Altius Hospital, HBR Layout.
symptoms of candida auris
The fungus can infect open wounds or lungs or enter the bloodstream. It has a wide range of symptoms.
According to Dr. Reddy, “The infection manifests with symptoms such as fever, chills and body aches, which can progress rapidly, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Its elusive nature often delays diagnosis, making it “Allows it to spread quietly in the health care environment.”
how to treat candida auris
“Treatment primarily revolves around antifungal drugs, yet the limited efficacy of conventional drugs against Candida auris strains underlines the urgency of novel treatment approaches. Furthermore, the possibility of resistance development further complicates therapeutic intervention. In the situation, multiple antifungals at high doses may be necessary to treat the infection,” says Dr. Reddy.
How to manage infection
Management strategies emphasize stringent infection control measures within health care settings. These include enhanced cleaning protocols, strict adherence to hand hygiene, patient isolation and surveillance to quickly identify and contain outbreaks, says Dr Reddy.
