What is Candida auris (C. auris)?

About Candida Auris (C. auris):

• It is a fungal pathogen that is often multi-drug-resistant. 
• It is capable of causing invasive infections in the human body.
• It can cause a range of infections, from superficial (skin) infections to more severe, life-threatening infections, such as bloodstream infections.
• It can cause infection in different parts of the body, like the blood, wounds, and ears. 
• It was first identified in Japan in 2009.
• How is it contracted?
  • Most cases of the fungus have been reported in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
  • It is generally thought to be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or by person-to-person transmission.
  • People who are already suffering from other medical conditions, recent hospital stays, and invasive devices are most at risk of contracting the fungus.
• How does the fungus act on the body? There are two ways C. auris can affect the body,
  • The fungus can either live on a specific region, such as the skin, rectum, or mouth, in a process called “asymptomatic colonization,” where a patient has no symptoms but can spread it to other people.
  • It can enter the bloodstream or wounds, where it can cause severe invasive infections.
• Symptoms:
  • Its symptoms are often similar to those of other common diseases, and hence diagnosis is difficult.
  • The most common symptoms of C. auris include fever and chills that don’t go away after treatment with antibiotics.
• Mortality Rate: It is estimated to be between 30-60%.
• Treatment:
  • Most C. auris infections are treatable with antifungal drugs called echinocandins.
  • However, some C. auris infections are resistant to the main types of antifungal medications, making them more difficult to treat.
  • In this situation, multiple antifungals at high doses may be required to treat the infection. 

Q1: What is a Fungus?

Fungi, along with Animalia (animals), Plantae (plants), Protista, Archaea/Archaebacteria, and Bacteria or Eubacteria, form the six ‘kingdoms’ of biology. Fungi includes the yeasts, rusts, smuts, mildews, molds, and mushrooms. They are eukaryotic organisms, i.e., their cells contain membrane-bound organelles and clearly defined nuclei. Fungi usually reproduce both sexually and asexually.

Source: Researchers discover new Candida auris—a possible global public health threat