Deadly Drug-Resistant Fungus Candida auris Spreading Worldwide: Indian Study Reveals
Indian-led study warns drug-resistant fungus Candida auris is becoming deadlier and spreading globally.
A recent study led by Indian researchers has raised alarm over the drug-resistant fungal pathogen Candida auris, highlighting its increasing global spread and deadly impact. The fungus, known for its ability to persist on human skin, is associated with invasive infections that affect approximately 6.5 million people annually and can carry mortality rates exceeding 50%, even with antifungal treatment.
The research, conducted by the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, in collaboration with the US National Institutes of Health, revealed that C. auris employs sophisticated survival strategies. These include morphogenesis, switching from yeast to filamentous growth, forming multicellular aggregates, and altering gene expression in response to environmental changes, making it highly adaptable and virulent.
A major concern is the fungus’s ability to colonize human skin for extended periods, acting as a reservoir for inter- and intra-hospital transmission. Patients colonized with C. auris are at increased risk of developing severe systemic infections, posing significant challenges for healthcare facilities worldwide.
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Diagnostic difficulties further complicate the problem. Conventional laboratory tests often misidentify C. auris as other yeasts, delaying proper treatment. Researchers emphasize the urgent need for improved diagnostic tools, as well as awareness campaigns to educate healthcare professionals and the public, especially in resource-limited countries.
The study stresses the importance of developing novel antifungal therapies with broad-spectrum activity, alongside immune- and vaccine-based treatments for high-risk patients. Strengthened surveillance systems are also recommended to monitor the spread of C. auris and mitigate outbreaks effectively.
In conclusion, the researchers warn that without timely intervention and robust global measures, Candida auris could continue to pose a severe public health threat, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated international action and innovation in fungal disease management.
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