New Candida Auris Clade Discovered: Public Health Implications

Description

CANDIDA AURIS

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context:

Researchers from Singapore General Hospital (SGH), A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) have discovered a new clade of Candida auris, raising the total known clades to six.
This finding enhances the understanding of Candida auris diversity and its public health implications.

What is Candida Auris?

Candida auris, often abbreviated as C. auris, is a pathogenic fungus that poses a significant threat to public health worldwide.
It was first identified in Japan in 2009, it has since been found in multiple countries, raising alarms among health professionals due to its high transmissibility and resistance to multiple antifungal drugs.
Candida auris is a species of fungus known for causing severe infections, particularly in hospitalized patients with underlying medical conditions.
It is highly transmissible and challenging to eradicate, making it a critical concern in healthcare settings.
The fungus can survive on surfaces for extended periods, facilitating its spread in hospitals and nursing homes.
The mortality rate associated with auris infections is estimated to be between 30% and 60%.

Recent Discoveries

A team of researchers from Singapore General Hospital, A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore, and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore recently identified a new clade (type) of C. auris, bringing the total known clades to six.
This discovery highlights the evolving nature of this pathogen and the need for continuous monitoring and research.

Transmissions:

Most cases of the fungus Candida auris have been reported in healthcare environments, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
It is primarily thought to spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or via person-to-person transmission.
Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, recent hospitalizations, or those with invasive devices are at a higher risk of contracting this fungus.

Impacts- Two ways:

Asymptomatic Colonization: The fungus may colonize specific areas such as the skin, rectum, or mouth without causing any symptoms. In this state, individuals can still spread the fungus to others.
Invasive Infections: The fungus can penetrate the bloodstream or wounds, leading to severe infections.

Common Symptoms

The symptoms of auris infections often resemble those of other common illnesses, making diagnosis challenging.
The most common symptoms include persistent fever and chills that do not improve with antibiotic treatment.

Treatment

Most auris infections can be treated with antifungal medications known as echinocandins. However, some strains have developed resistance to standard antifungal treatments, complicating treatment efforts.
In such cases, a combination of multiple antifungals at high doses may be necessary to manage the infection effectively.

Public Health Implications

The recent identification of a sixth clade of C. auris necessitates improved surveillance capabilities and the development of new methods to augment existing strategies.
Enhanced genomic and metagenomic research, combined with collaborative efforts among researchers and clinicians, is crucial for effective pandemic preparedness and response.

ALSO KNOW ABOUT

WHO Fungal Priority pathogens list (FPPL)

Fungal Disease	Causes	Symptoms	Prevention
Candidiasis	Overgrowth of Candida species (e.g., C. albicans)	Itching, redness, discharge, oral thrush	Maintain good hygiene, manage diabetes, avoid antibiotics overuse
Aspergillosis	Exposure to Aspergillus spores in the environment	Cough, fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing	Avoid exposure to mold, wear masks in moldy areas
Histoplasmosis	Inhalation of Histoplasma capsulatum spores from bird or bat droppings	Fever, cough, fatigue, chest pain	Avoid areas with bird or bat droppings, use protective gear
Coccidioidomycosis	Inhalation of Coccidioides spores in dry environments	Fever, cough, rash, fatigue	Avoid outdoor activities in dusty conditions, wear masks
Cryptococcosis	Inhalation of Cryptococcus neoformans spores, often from bird droppings	Fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache	Maintain a clean environment, avoid bird droppings
Tinea (Ringworm)	Infection by dermatophytes through direct contact	Itchy, red, circular rashes on skin	Keep skin clean and dry, avoid sharing personal items
Pneumocystis Pneumonia	Infection by Pneumocystis jirovecii (fungus-like organism)	Cough, fever, difficulty breathing	Prophylactic antibiotics for immunocompromised individuals

Reference:

Suphavilai, C., et al. "Detection and characterisation of a sixth Candida auris clade in Singapore: a genomic and phenotypic study." The Lancet Microbe (2024).
Researchers discover new Candida auris—a possible global public health threat (2024, August 5). Retrieved from [MedicalXpress]

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements about Candida auris:

Candida auris is a type of bacteria that is highly transmissible and poses a significant threat to public health.
Candida auris infections have a high mortality rate and are often resistant to multiple antifungal drugs.
The spread of Candida auris is associated with healthcare settings such as hospitals and nursing homes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: b)