Candida auris: Epidemiology and Antifungal Strategy

Abstract

Candida auris is a recently emerged fungal pathogen that causes severe infections in healthcare settings around the globe. A feature that distinguishes C. auris from other fungal pathogens is its high capacity to colonize skin, leading to widespread outbreaks in healthcare facilities via patient-to-patient transmission. C. auris can persist on skin or in the surrounding environment for extended periods of time, and it exhibits greater antifungal resistance than other Candida species. These factors pose major obstacles for the prevention and treatment of C. auris infection. Recent reports have identified frequently colonized skin sites, risk factors for developing invasive infection, and patterns of antifungal resistance among C. auris strains, all of which help guide therapeutic options. In this review, we highlight key studies of C. auris epidemiology and antifungal resistance, discussing how these factors influence healthcare-associated transmission and treatment outcomes.

Keywords: Candida auris; antifungal; drug resistance; epidemiology; microbiome; skin colonization; transmission; treatment.

Figure 1

Risk factors for hospital-associated Candida auris infection. Abbreviation: ICU, intensive care unit.