Superbug Candida Auris is Here

Potentially drug-resistant fungus takes hold in the U.S.

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed the fungus Candida auris (C auris) is spreading rapidly through U.S. healthcare facilities. In fact, reports of the dangerous fungus have tripled over the past three years, and it has been identified in more than half of the U.S. states. 

What’s behind the fast and disturbing rise is two-fold. First, the fungus is resistant to several classes of drugs normally used to treat other Candida fungal infections. Second, it has, essentially, a strong will to live. Research has found C auris can colonize not only on individuals who come in contact with it, but also on surfaces, including patient bedding, walls, and cables. Compounding the issue is the fact that it’s unaffected by common, non-alcohol-based disinfectants and wipes, and can persist on surfaces for weeks or even longer. 

While C auris does not present a threat to most healthy people; individuals with weakened immune systems or who are immunocompromised are at risk of hard-to-treat infections. Nursing home and hospital patients who have or have had lines and tubes in their body—think catheters or breathing tubes—are also at high risk.

In addition, recent surgery, conditions like diabetes and a broad use of antibiotics and antifungals are also tied to an increased risk of serious infection.

The majority of individuals who get infected are often already sick from other medical conditions, making it difficult to determine if they have a C auris infection. The most common symptoms of infection are fever and chills that don’t improve after antibiotic treatment. Ultimately, only a specialized laboratory test can diagnose C auris infection.

There’s still a great deal to be learned about C auris. In the meantime, researchers and healthcare professionals are working hard to prevent the spread beyond healthcare facilities.

You can protect yourself and loved ones by practicing good hand hygiene and using alcohol-based wipes to clean your hands after visits to hospitals or other healthcare settings.

Donna Barron BA, RN, CIC is an infection preventionist at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.