Increasing rates of infections leads some to believe that the next pandemic may not be a virus, but rather a yeast-like fungal infection which is sometimes deadly known as Candida Auris, say experts who describe it as a nearly “perfect pathogen.”
The fungus can be fatal, particularly if it enters the bloodstream, typically through catheters or other tubes entering the body in healthcare settings, according to the CDC.
It was first identified in 2009 and is almost impervious to antifungal drugs, according to Johanna Rhodes, an epidemiologist with London’s Imperial College.
Rhodes, who helped tackle a 2016 outbreak of Candida auris in England, said it’s not just the fungus’ resistance to drugs which makes it impressive.
“One of the things that makes Candida Auris so scary is the fact it can linger on inanimate surfaces for long periods and withstand whatever you throw at it,” she told New Scientist.
Dr. Tom Chiller, who runs the CDC’s anti-fungal division, said no one truly knows where it came from.
“It is a creature from the black lagoon. It bubbled up and now it is everywhere,” he said.
Experts said it’s critical to develop better weapons against enemies like Candida Auris now, before they become the next pandemic.
“We need to invest more in research and development, and prepare our defenses – against all types of infectious pathogens,” said Mahmoud Ghannoum, a fungal disease specialist at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.
Who is at risk for infection from C. Auris?
People who have recently spent time in nursing homes and have lines and tubes that go into their body (such as breathing tubes, feeding tubes and central venous catheters), seem to be at highest risk for C. Auris infection. Limited data suggest that the risk factors for Candida Auris infections are generally similar to risk factors for other types of Candida infections. These risk factors include recent surgery, diabetes, broad-spectrum antibiotic and antifungal use. Infections have been found in patients of all ages, from preterm infants to the elderly. Further study is needed to learn more about risk factors for C. Auris infection.
Latest information from the CDC:
- January 19, 2021: Case count updated to 1,625
- December 1, 2020: Added page for Fungal Diseases and COVID-19, including information on the spread of C. Auris during the pandemic and invasive candidiasis in patients with COVID-19
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