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Review
. 2022 Oct 21;7(2):46-65.
doi: 10.20411/pai.v7i2.535. eCollection 2022.

Update on the Pathogenesis, Virulence, and Treatment of Candida auris

Richard R Watkins  1 , Rachael Gowen  2 , Michail S Lionakis  3 , Mahmoud Ghannoum  2   4
Affiliations
Review

Update on the Pathogenesis, Virulence, and Treatment of Candida auris

Richard R Watkins et al. Pathog Immun. .

Abstract

Candida auris is an emerging, multidrug resistant fungal pathogen that causes considerable morbidity and mortality. First identified in Japan in 2009, it has since been reported in more than 40 countries. C. auris can persist for long periods on different environmental surfaces as well as the skin. Clinical isolates are typically resistant to commonly prescribed antifungal drugs. Increasingly recognized as a cause of infections and outbreaks in nosocomial settings, C. auris is difficult to identify using traditional microbiological methods. One of the main reasons for the ongoing spread of C. auris is the multitude of virulence factors it possesses and uses against its human host that enables fungal persistence on the skin surface. Yet, many of the virulence mechanismsare unknown or remain incompletely understood. In this review, we summarize the evolution of virulence of C. auris, offer recommendations for combating this important human pathogen, and suggest directions for further research.

Keywords: Candida auris; antifungal resistance; fungemia; immune responses; virulence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum serves as a Senior Editor and Dr. Richard Watkins serves as an Associate Editor for Pathogens and Immunity. Dr. Watkins serves as a paid consultant to BioMe'rieux and has received research funding from Allergan. The authors report no other competing financial interests.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Reported clinical cases of Candida auris in the United States, January 01, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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