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. 2024 Jun 27;62(6):myae045.
doi: 10.1093/mmy/myae045.

Candida albicans-A systematic review to inform the World Health Organization Fungal Priority Pathogens List

Sarika Parambath  1 , Aiken Dao  1   2   3 , Hannah Yejin Kim  1   4   5 , Shukry Zawahir  1   6 , Ana-Alastruey Izquierdo  7 , Evelina Tacconelli  8 , Nelesh Govender  9   10   11   12 , Rita Oladele  13 , Arnaldo Colombo  14 , Tania Sorrell  1   2   3 , Pilar Ramon-Pardo  15 , Terence Fusire  15 , Valeria Gigante  15 , Hatim Sati  15 , C Orla Morrissey  16   17 , Jan-Willem Alffenaar  1   3   4 , Justin Beardsley  1   2   3
Affiliations

Candida albicans-A systematic review to inform the World Health Organization Fungal Priority Pathogens List

Sarika Parambath et al. Med Mycol. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Candida albicans is a common fungal pathogen and amongst the leading causes of invasive candidiasis globally. This systematic review examines the characteristics and global impact of invasive infections caused by C. albicans. We searched on PubMed and Web of Science for studies reporting on criteria such as mortality, morbidity, drug resistance, preventability, yearly incidence, and distribution/emergence during the period from 2016 to 2021. Our findings indicate that C. albicans is the most common Candida species causing invasive disease and that standard infection control measures are the primary means of prevention. However, we found high rates of mortality associated with infections caused by C. albicans. Furthermore, there is a lack of data on complications and sequelae. Resistance to commonly used antifungals remains rare. Although, whilst generally susceptible to azoles, we found some evidence of increasing resistance, particularly in middle-income settings-notably, data from low-income settings were limited. Candida albicans remains susceptible to echinocandins, amphotericin B, and flucytosine. We observed evidence of a decreasing proportion of infections caused by C. albicans relative to other Candida species, although detailed epidemiological studies are needed to confirm this trend. More robust data on attributable mortality, complications, and sequelae are needed to understand the full extent of the impact of invasive C. albicans infections.

Keywords: Candida albicans; antifungal resistance; epidemiology; invasive candidiasis; mortality.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flow diagram for selection of studies included in the systematic review based on the PRISMA statement.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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