What is Candida auris. How does it differ from other yeast infections. Why is it concerning to healthcare professionals. Can Candida auris be fatal. How is it diagnosed and treated. Who is at risk for Candida auris infection. How can you protect yourself from this emerging pathogen.

What is Candida auris and Why is it a Concern?

Candida auris is a type of yeast that has emerged as a significant threat in healthcare settings worldwide. First identified in Japan in 2009, this fungus has since spread to over 30 countries, causing severe infections in hospitalized patients. Unlike common yeast infections, C. auris poses unique challenges that have raised alarms among healthcare professionals and public health organizations.

Why is C. auris particularly concerning? There are three primary reasons:

• Multidrug resistance: C. auris often doesn’t respond to commonly used antifungal medications, making infections difficult to treat.
• Diagnostic challenges: Standard laboratory methods struggle to accurately identify C. auris, leading to potential misidentification and inappropriate treatment.
• Outbreak potential: C. auris has demonstrated the ability to spread rapidly in healthcare settings, necessitating swift identification and implementation of special precautions.

The Spectrum of Candida auris Infections: From Mild to Life-Threatening

C. auris can cause a range of infections, varying in severity and location within the body. Some of the most common types include:

• Bloodstream infections
• Wound infections
• Ear infections

Additionally, C. auris has been isolated from respiratory and urine specimens, although its role in causing lung or bladder infections remains unclear. The severity of these infections can range from mild to life-threatening, depending on various factors such as the patient’s overall health and the site of infection.

Can Candida auris Be Fatal?

In severe cases, particularly when C. auris enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body, the infection can indeed be fatal. The combination of its resistance to many antifungal drugs and the often compromised health of affected patients contributes to its potential lethality. However, it’s important to note that not all C. auris infections result in death, and early detection and appropriate treatment can significantly improve outcomes.

Diagnosing Candida auris: A Challenge for Medical Laboratories

Accurately diagnosing C. auris infections presents a unique set of challenges for healthcare professionals and laboratory technicians. Why is identifying C. auris so difficult?

• Similarity to other Candida species: C. auris can be easily confused with other types of yeasts, particularly Candida haemulonii.
• Limitations of conventional methods: Standard laboratory techniques used for identifying Candida species often fall short when it comes to C. auris.
• Need for specialized testing: Accurate identification requires advanced laboratory methods, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry or molecular methods.

Given these challenges, healthcare facilities must be vigilant and consider the possibility of C. auris when dealing with difficult-to-treat yeast infections. Misidentification can lead to inappropriate management and potentially contribute to the spread of this emerging pathogen.

Who’s at Risk? Understanding Candida auris Vulnerability Factors

While anyone can potentially contract a C. auris infection, certain groups are at higher risk. Understanding these risk factors is crucial for both prevention and early detection. Who is most vulnerable to C. auris infections?

• Long-term hospital patients
• Individuals with central venous catheters or other medical devices entering their body
• Patients who have recently received broad-spectrum antibiotics or antifungal medications
• People with recent surgery
• Individuals with diabetes
• Patients in nursing homes or long-term care facilities

It’s worth noting that C. auris infections have been found in patients of all ages, from premature infants to the elderly. The common thread among most cases is prolonged exposure to healthcare settings and compromised health status.

Are Healthy Individuals at Risk for Candida auris?

While C. auris primarily affects individuals with compromised health or those in healthcare settings, healthy individuals are generally at low risk for infection. However, it’s essential to maintain good hygiene practices and be aware of the potential risks, especially when visiting or working in healthcare facilities.

The Global Spread of Candida auris: Tracing Its Origins and Evolution

The story of C. auris’s global spread is a testament to the interconnected nature of our world and the challenges faced by modern healthcare systems. How did this once-obscure yeast become a worldwide concern?

• 1996: The earliest known strain of C. auris is retrospectively identified in South Korea.
• 2009: C. auris is first officially identified and named in Japan.
• 2011-present: Reports of C. auris infections begin to emerge from countries across the globe.

To better understand the spread of C. auris, researchers have employed whole genome sequencing techniques. This advanced method produces detailed DNA fingerprints of the organism, allowing scientists to trace its evolutionary path and identify distinct regional clades.

How Many Countries Have Reported Candida auris Cases?

As of the latest reports, C. auris infections have been confirmed in over 30 countries across six continents. However, due to the challenges in identifying this pathogen, it’s likely that cases have occurred in additional countries but have gone unrecognized or unreported. The true global prevalence of C. auris may be underestimated, highlighting the need for improved surveillance and diagnostic capabilities worldwide.

Treatment Challenges: Battling Candida auris’s Drug Resistance

One of the most concerning aspects of C. auris is its resistance to multiple antifungal drugs commonly used to treat Candida infections. This multidrug resistance poses significant challenges for healthcare providers and patients alike. Why is treating C. auris infections so difficult?

• Limited effective treatments: Many strains of C. auris are resistant to fluconazole, a first-line antifungal drug.
• Cross-resistance: Some C. auris isolates show resistance to multiple classes of antifungal medications.
• Evolving resistance: There’s concern that C. auris may develop resistance to additional antifungal drugs over time.

Despite these challenges, treatment options do exist. Echinocandins are often used as the first-line treatment for C. auris infections. In cases of extensive drug resistance, combination therapy or newer antifungal agents may be necessary. The key to successful treatment lies in early and accurate diagnosis, followed by targeted therapy based on antifungal susceptibility testing.

Can Candida auris Infections Be Cured?

While C. auris infections are challenging to treat, they can be cured with appropriate medical intervention. The success of treatment depends on various factors, including:

• Timely and accurate diagnosis
• The patient’s overall health status
• The site and severity of the infection
• The antifungal susceptibility profile of the specific C. auris strain

With prompt identification and targeted treatment, many patients can recover from C. auris infections. However, the high mortality rates associated with invasive C. auris infections underscore the importance of prevention and early intervention.

Preventing the Spread: Infection Control Measures for Candida auris

Given the challenges in treating C. auris infections and its potential for rapid spread in healthcare settings, prevention is paramount. Healthcare facilities must implement comprehensive infection control measures to mitigate the risk of C. auris transmission. What are some key strategies for preventing the spread of C. auris?

• Hand hygiene: Strict adherence to hand hygiene protocols, including the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers or soap and water.
• Contact precautions: Use of gloves and gowns when interacting with infected or colonized patients.
• Environmental cleaning: Thorough cleaning and disinfection of patient rooms and medical equipment, using products effective against C. auris.
• Screening: Proactive screening of high-risk patients, particularly those transferred from facilities with known C. auris cases.
• Isolation: Placing infected or colonized patients in single rooms when possible.
• Antimicrobial stewardship: Judicious use of antibiotics and antifungal medications to reduce the risk of drug resistance.

Healthcare facilities should also have protocols in place for rapid identification of potential C. auris cases and immediate implementation of control measures. Collaboration between healthcare providers, infection control specialists, and public health authorities is crucial for effective prevention and containment of C. auris outbreaks.

How Can Individuals Protect Themselves from Candida auris?

While the risk of C. auris infection is primarily associated with healthcare settings, individuals can take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones:

• Practice good hand hygiene, especially when visiting healthcare facilities
• Ask healthcare providers about their infection control measures
• Inform healthcare providers if you’ve been hospitalized in another country
• If diagnosed with C. auris, follow all medical recommendations and inform healthcare providers of your status

By staying informed and taking these precautions, individuals can play a role in preventing the spread of C. auris and protecting vulnerable populations.

The Future of Candida auris: Research and Surveillance Efforts

As C. auris continues to emerge as a global health threat, researchers and public health organizations are intensifying their efforts to understand and combat this pathogen. What areas of research are currently being pursued?

• Improved diagnostic methods: Developing faster and more accurate ways to identify C. auris in clinical samples.
• Novel treatment approaches: Investigating new antifungal compounds and combination therapies to overcome drug resistance.
• Transmission dynamics: Studying how C. auris spreads within healthcare settings and in the community.
• Genetic analysis: Exploring the genetic mechanisms behind C. auris’s virulence and drug resistance.
• Environmental persistence: Investigating how long C. auris can survive on surfaces and what methods are most effective for decontamination.
• Global surveillance: Enhancing international cooperation to track the spread and evolution of C. auris worldwide.

These research efforts are crucial for developing more effective strategies to prevent, detect, and treat C. auris infections. As our understanding of this pathogen grows, so too will our ability to mitigate its impact on global health.

What Role Does Genomic Surveillance Play in Combating Candida auris?

Genomic surveillance has emerged as a powerful tool in the fight against C. auris. By analyzing the genetic makeup of C. auris isolates from different regions, researchers can:

• Track the global spread of different C. auris clades
• Identify new mutations associated with drug resistance
• Investigate outbreak sources and transmission patterns
• Develop more targeted prevention and control strategies

As genomic sequencing technologies become more accessible and affordable, their integration into routine surveillance efforts could significantly enhance our ability to detect and respond to C. auris outbreaks promptly.

General Information about Candida auris | Candida auris | Fungal Diseases

Healthcare facilities in several countries have reported that a type of yeast called Candida auris has been causing severe illness in hospitalized patients. In some patients, this yeast can enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, causing serious invasive infections. This yeast often does not respond to commonly used antifungal drugs, making infections difficult to treat. Patients who have been hospitalized in a healthcare facility a long time, have a central venous catheter, or other lines or tubes entering their body, or have previously received antibiotics or antifungal medications, appear to be at highest risk of infection with this yeast.

Specialized laboratory methods are needed to accurately identify C. auris. Conventional laboratory techniques could lead to misidentification and inappropriate management, making it difficult to control the spread of C. auris in healthcare settings.

Because of these factors, CDC is alerting U.S. healthcare facilities to be on the lookout for C. auris in their patients.

CDC and partners continue to work closely; click here for the latest information on Candida auris. To learn more about Candida auris, read the Q&A below and:

• Fact sheet on Candida auris – Download pdf icon[PDF – 2 Pages]
• Recommendations for Laboratorians and Health Professionals
• Information for Patients and Family Members
• Questions and Answers for Healthcare Personnel

Why is CDC concerned about

C. auris infections?

CDC is concerned about C. auris for three main reasons:

1. It is often multidrug-resistant, meaning that it is resistant to multiple antifungal drugs commonly used to treat Candida infections.
2. It is difficult to identify with standard laboratory methods, and it can be misidentified in labs without specific technology. Misidentification may lead to inappropriate management.
3. It has caused outbreaks in healthcare settings. For this reason, it is important to quickly identify C. auris in a hospitalized patient so that healthcare facilities can take special precautions to stop its spread.

What types of infections can

C. auris cause?

C. auris has caused bloodstream infections, wound infections, and ear infections. It also has been isolated from respiratory and urine specimens, but it is unclear if it causes infections in the lung or bladder.

How is

C. auris infection diagnosed?

Like other Candida infections, C. auris infections are usually diagnosed by culture of blood or other body fluids. However, C. auris is harder to identify from cultures than other, more common types of Candida. For example, it can be confused with other types of yeasts, particularly Candida haemulonii. Special laboratory tests are needed to identify C. auris. For more information, please see the Recommendations for Laboratorians and Health Professionals.

Who is at risk for infection from

C. auris?

People who have recently spent time in nursing homes and have lines and tubes that go into their body (such as breathing tubes, feeding tubes and central venous catheters), seem to be at highest risk for C. auris infection. Limited data suggest that the risk factors for Candida auris infections are generally similar to risk factors for other types of Candida infections. These risk factors include recent surgery, diabetes, broad-spectrum antibiotic and antifungal use. Infections have been found in patients of all ages, from preterm infants to the elderly. Further study is needed to learn more about risk factors for C. auris infection.

When was

C. auris first reported?

C. auris was first identified in 2009 in Japan. Retrospective review of Candida strain collections found that the earliest known strain of C. auris dates to 1996 in South Korea. CDC considers C. auris an emerging pathogen because increasing numbers of infections have been identified in multiple countries since it was recognized.

How did

C. auris get its name?

Auris is the Latin word for ear. Despite its name, C. auris can also affect many other regions of the body and can cause invasive infections, including bloodstream infections and wound infections.

Where have

C. auris infections occurred globally?

C. auris infections have been reported from over 30 countries, including the United States. Because identification of C. auris requires specialized laboratory methods, infections likely have occurred in other countries but have not been identified or reported. Click here for a map of countries with reported cases.

How did

C. auris infection spread globally?

CDC conducted whole genome sequencing of C. auris specimens from countries in the regions of eastern Asia, southern Asia, southern Africa, and South America. Whole genome sequencing produces detailed DNA fingerprints of organisms. CDC found that isolates within each region are quite similar to one another, but are relatively different across regions. These differences suggest that C. auris has emerged independently in multiple regions at roughly the same time.

Would someone be likely to get a

C. auris infection if they travel to any of these countries?

It is unlikely that routine travel to countries with documented C. auris infections would increase the chance of someone getting sick from C. auris. Infections have occurred primarily in patients who were already in the hospital for other reasons. People who travel to these countries to seek medical care or who are hospitalized there for a long time may have an increased risk for C. auris infection. 

Have

C. auris infections occurred in the United States?

Cases of C. auris infections have been reported in the United States. As laboratories continue to look for this fungus, it is likely that more cases will be reported. Click here for a map of cases in the United States.

What should someone do if they suspect they have a

C. auris infection?

CDC recommends that anyone who believes they have any fungal infection or healthcare-associated infection see a healthcare provider.

Are

C. auris infections treatable?

Most C. auris infections are treatable with a class of antifungal drugs called echinocandins. However, some C. auris infections have been resistant to all three main classes of antifungal medications, making them more difficult to treat. In this situation, multiple classes of antifungals at high doses may be required to treat the infection. Treatment decisions should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider experienced in treating patients with fungal infections.

Can a person die from infection with

C. auris?

Yes. Invasive infections with any Candida species can be fatal. We don’t know if patients with invasive C. auris infection are more likely to die than patients with other invasive Candida infections. Based on information from a limited number of patients, 30–60% of people with C. auris infections have died. However, many of these people had other serious illnesses that also increased their risk of death.

How does

C. auris spread?

C. auris can spread in healthcare settings through contact with contaminated environmental surfaces or equipment, or from person to person. More work is needed to further understand how it spreads.

How can the spread of

C. auris be prevented?

Please see the Recommendations for Laboratorians and Health Professionals.

What is CDC doing to address

C. auris?

CDC is providing guidance for clinicians and infection control personnel. For more information, please see the Recommendations for Laboratorians and Health Professionals. CDC also is working with state and local health agencies, healthcare facilities, and clinical microbiology laboratories to ensure that laboratories are using proper methods to detect C. auris and know the limitations of certain tests for detecting C. auris.

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Why It Should Be Diagnosed and Treated

Without treatment, a yeast infection could become more serious. There’s a chance that it could resolve on its own, but it could also worsen.

A vaginal yeast infection (vaginal candidiasis) is a relatively common fungal infection that causes thick, white discharge along with irritation, itchiness, and swelling of the vulva and vagina.

Keep reading to learn more about the downsides of ignoring yeast infections.

If left untreated, vaginal candidiasis will most likely get worse, causing itching, redness, and inflammation in the area surrounding your vagina. This may lead to a skin infection if the inflamed area becomes cracked, or if continual scratching creates open or raw areas.

Uncommon side effects of an untreated yeast infection include:

• fatigue
• oral thrush
• gastrointestinal problems

Invasive candidiasis

Invasive candidiasis occurs when the yeast infection affects other parts of the body, such as the:

• blood
• heart
• brain
• bones
• eyes

Invasive candidiasis is usually associated with an open sore that’s exposed to a yeast infection. It isn’t typically related to vaginal yeast infections. It can cause serious health complications if not promptly treated.

Candidemia

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), candidemia is one of the most common forms of invasive candidiasis in the United States. It’s also one of the most common bloodstream infections in the country.

Yeast infections are common during pregnancy due to fluctuating hormones. If you’re pregnant and think you may have a yeast infection, see a doctor so that you can get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Topical antifungals are safe to use during pregnancy, but you won’t be able to take oral antifungal medications.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), oral fluconazole (Diflucan) taken during the first trimester of pregnancy may cause birth defects. A 2016 study also linked the use of oral fluconazole taken during pregnancy with an increased risk of miscarriage.

A mild yeast infection is expected to clear up in a few days to a week. Moderate to severe infections may take 2 to 3 weeks.

Can yeast infections go away on their own?

There’s a possibility that a yeast infection can go away on its own. The probability varies from person to person.

If you decide not to treat the infection, however, it might get worse. There’s also the possibility that you’ve misdiagnosed your condition, and what you thought was candidiasis was a more serious problem.

According to the Mayo Clinic, 75 percent of women will experience a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their lifetime.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicates that about 5 percent of women will experience recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). This is defined as four or more vaginal yeast infections in 1 year.

RVVC can occur in healthy women, but it’s more common in women with diabetes or weak immune systems from conditions such as HIV.

According to the HHS, about 66 percent of women who buy yeast infection medicine don’t actually have a yeast infection.

The symptoms may be caused by an allergic reaction or irritation due to sensitivity to tampons, soaps, powders, or perfume. Or they may have another vaginal infection, such as:

• bacterial vaginosis
• chlamydia
• gonorrhea
• trichomoniasis
• herpes

You should see a doctor if you’re not 100 percent sure that you have a yeast infection. They may diagnose you with a yeast infection, or they may discover a more serious condition.

If you’re treating what you think is a yeast infection without doctor diagnosis and it doesn’t clear up in a week or two, see a doctor. The medication you’re using may not be strong enough, or you may not have a yeast infection.

You should also visit a doctor if the infection returns in a couple of months. Having more than one yeast infection in a year could be an indication of an underlying medical condition.

Don’t put off seeing a doctor if your symptoms include:

• fever
• foul-smelling or yellow discharge
• bloody discharge
• back or stomach pain
• vomiting
• increased urination

Vaginal yeast infection should be properly diagnosed and treated. If left untreated, a yeast infection may lead to health problems, such as:

• skin infections
• fatigue
• oral thrush
• gastrointestinal problems
• invasive candidiasis

Diagnosis is a critical step, as the symptoms of a yeast infection are similar to more serious conditions, such as:

• bacterial vaginosis
• chlamydia
• gonorrhea

▶Is thrush dangerous and should it be treated? ✅ ADONIS | Kyiv

What are the symptoms of thrush? How to properly diagnose and treat it? Is the disease dangerous? These and other questions were answered by the gynecologist of the diagnostic and treatment center ADONIS Victoria Yuryevna Gomon.

Viktoria Yurievna, please tell us how thrush manifests itself? How not to confuse it with other gynecological diseases?

– Thrush is a disease that develops when infected with fungi of the genus Candida. It is very common. According to statistics, 3 out of 4 women get sick at least once in their life. In rare cases, it becomes chronic.

The main symptoms of thrush are itching and burning in the vagina, cheesy discharge with an unpleasant sour smell, pain during urination and sexual intercourse. However, in most cases, the clinical picture is erased, that is, the woman does not show such pronounced symptoms. Because of this, thrush is easily confused with other gynecological diseases. To establish the correct diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis. Do not treat thrush on your own. You need to consult a doctor for qualified help.

You said that thrush can become chronic. Why is this happening?

– Actually, there are quite a few reasons. The main ones are weakened immunity and general diseases. For example, in diabetes, Candida mushrooms grow rapidly, due to which the thrush becomes chronic.

How is thrush diagnosed if its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases?

– To diagnose a disease, you need to come to a consultation with a gynecologist. He will examine and take a sample of urogenital secretions for analysis. A microscopy analysis will determine whether there are Candida fungi in the secretions or not, as well as detect other infections.

It should be understood that the detection of Candida does not always indicate the need for treatment. If the patient came for a preventive examination and has no complaints, but these fungi were found in the analysis, this can be considered a variant of the norm. Candida is also present on human skin, and in the intestines, and in the vagina, but only in certain cases provokes the development of the disease.

That is, it is necessary to treat thrush only when symptoms of the disease appear?

– Yes, this disease is treated only if symptoms are present. If Candida is discovered incidentally, treatment is usually not carried out.

How to properly treat thrush? Since this is a very common disease, many women do not consider it a reason to see a doctor and are treated on their own. Can this be done or not?

– It is difficult to diagnose thrush on your own. Many gynecological diseases can manifest themselves in a similar way. At the same time, the tactics of their treatment and the drugs used differ significantly. For example, for the treatment of thrush, a 5-7-day course of treatment can be used, while for the treatment of other pathologies, a much larger one with other drugs. With self-medication, it is easy to make a mistake with the diagnosis and drink drugs that are ineffective in this case. This can lead to an aggravation of the disease.

Can thrush develop during pregnancy?

– Yes, during pregnancy the risk of developing thrush even increases. This is due to changes in the functioning of the immune system. Since the fetus carries 50% of the father’s genetic material, which is essentially foreign to the body, its immune defenses must be reduced in order for the woman to be able to bear the pregnancy.

Does the treatment of thrush change during pregnancy?

– During this period, we also treat thrush only when symptoms of the disease appear. At the same time, we are guided by internal ADONIS protocols and European recommendations, using drugs that are safe at all stages of pregnancy.

Is thrush dangerous during pregnancy? Can it cause complications or affect the condition and development of the fetus?

– Thrush is not dangerous to the fetus and does not pose a threat of termination of pregnancy. She only causes discomfort to the woman herself, who constantly feels itching, burning and other symptoms of the disease. If the thrush persists at the time of childbirth, then the cracks or ruptures that occurred during them heal longer than with a healthy mucosa.

During childbirth, the baby, passing through the birth canal, comes into contact with the mother’s microflora. If it has a lot of Candida fungi, they can also enter his body. However, this does not pose a particular threat to the health of the child.

Here you can watch the video version of the interview with Victoria Yurievna Gomon.

More videos on our YouTube channel.

Scientists: thrush can cause schizophrenia and memory problems

https://ria.ru/20160504/1426319736.html memory – RIA Novosti, 05/04/2016

Scientists: thrush can cause schizophrenia and memory problems

Infection with sexual or oral thrush may be associated with an increased chance of developing schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis, as well as lead to the development of memory problems.

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discoveries – ria science, usa, schizophrenia

discoveries – RIA Nauka, Nauka, USA, schizophrenia

MOSCOW, May 4 – RIA Novosti. Infection with the sexual or oral form of thrush may be associated with increased chances of developing schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis, as well as lead to the development of memory problems, say doctors who published an article in the journal npj Schizophrenia.

“Of course, it is too early to say that Candida can actually cause mental health problems, and vice versa. However, since these infections can be easily removed from the body, and therefore psychotherapists and psychiatrists should pay attention to whether their patients suffer from thrush,” said Emily Severance from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (USA).

Severance and her colleagues uncovered this unusual connection between fungi and mental health problems by studying several unusual cases of schizophrenia in which patients complained of sudden mental health problems after they contracted a particularly aggressive form of thrush.

These cases led scientists to the idea that infection with various fungi and microbes can lead to the development of a number of problems with the brain and other components of the nervous system. They tested this hypothesis by comparing blood, microflora, and mucous membrane samples from several hundred healthy people and psychiatric patients suffering from schizophrenia or manic-depressive disorder.

Toxoplasma parasite can provoke suicide attempts – scientists changed radically.

In particular, men were about twice as likely to suffer from this infection when they were schizophrenics. A similar picture, although less pronounced, was observed for carriers of manic-depressive psychosis.