How does Candida auris differ from common yeast infections. Why is C. auris considered a serious global health threat. What makes C. auris infections so difficult to treat. Who is most at risk for contracting C. auris. How can healthcare facilities prevent the spread of C. auris.

The Emergence of Candida auris: A New Deadly Fungal Threat

Candida auris, first identified in Japan in 2009, has rapidly emerged as a significant global health concern. This fungal pathogen has been reported in over 30 countries, causing severe infections in hospitalized patients. Unlike common yeast infections, C. auris can be life-threatening, particularly for those with weakened immune systems.

The earliest known strain of C. auris dates back to 1996 in South Korea. Since its recognition, the number of infections has increased alarmingly across multiple countries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now considers C. auris an emerging pathogen due to its rapid spread and potential for causing outbreaks in healthcare settings.

Why Is Candida auris So Dangerous?

C. auris poses a significant threat for several reasons:

• Multidrug resistance: Many C. auris strains are resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, making infections challenging to treat.
• Difficult identification: Standard laboratory methods often misidentify C. auris, leading to inappropriate management and delayed treatment.
• Outbreak potential: C. auris can spread rapidly in healthcare settings, causing outbreaks that are difficult to control.

These factors contribute to the high mortality rates associated with C. auris infections, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Types of Infections Caused by Candida auris

C. auris can cause a variety of severe infections, including:

• Bloodstream infections
• Wound infections
• Ear infections

The fungus has also been isolated from respiratory and urine specimens, although its role in causing lung or bladder infections remains unclear. The ability of C. auris to infect multiple body sites contributes to its dangerous nature.

Diagnosing Candida auris Infections: A Complex Challenge

Diagnosing C. auris infections presents unique challenges for healthcare professionals. While infections are typically diagnosed through culture of blood or other body fluids, C. auris is notoriously difficult to identify using conventional methods.

Laboratories often misidentify C. auris as other yeast species, particularly Candida haemulonii. This misidentification can lead to inappropriate treatment and failure to implement necessary infection control measures. Specialized laboratory tests are essential for accurate identification of C. auris.

Advanced Diagnostic Techniques

To overcome the limitations of traditional methods, advanced diagnostic techniques are employed:

• Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry
• Molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
• Whole genome sequencing for strain identification and epidemiological investigations

These specialized techniques allow for rapid and accurate identification of C. auris, enabling prompt implementation of appropriate treatment and infection control measures.

Who Is at Risk for Candida auris Infections?

While anyone can potentially contract C. auris, certain groups are at higher risk:

• Patients who have recently spent time in nursing homes or hospitals
• Individuals with invasive medical devices (e.g., breathing tubes, feeding tubes, central venous catheters)
• People with recent surgery
• Diabetic patients
• Those who have received broad-spectrum antibiotics or antifungal medications

C. auris infections have been found in patients of all ages, from preterm infants to the elderly. The risk factors for C. auris infections are generally similar to those for other types of Candida infections, but the consequences can be much more severe.

The Global Spread of Candida auris: Tracing Its Origins

Understanding the global spread of C. auris is crucial for developing effective control strategies. Whole genome sequencing of C. auris specimens from various regions has provided valuable insights into its geographical distribution and evolution.

The CDC has conducted genetic analysis of C. auris samples from eastern Asia, southern Asia, southern Africa, and South America. This analysis has revealed distinct genetic clades, suggesting that C. auris emerged independently in multiple regions around the same time.

Factors Contributing to Global Spread

Several factors have contributed to the rapid global spread of C. auris:

• International travel and patient transfers between healthcare facilities
• Inadequate infection control practices in some healthcare settings
• The fungus’s ability to persist on surfaces and medical equipment
• Delays in identification due to diagnostic challenges

These factors highlight the need for improved surveillance, diagnostic capabilities, and infection control measures on a global scale.

Treatment Challenges: Combating Multidrug-Resistant Candida auris

Treating C. auris infections presents significant challenges due to its resistance to multiple antifungal drugs. Many strains of C. auris are resistant to fluconazole, a common first-line antifungal medication. Some strains have shown resistance to all three major classes of antifungal drugs: azoles, echinocandins, and amphotericin B.

Current Treatment Approaches

Despite the challenges, there are treatment options available for C. auris infections:

• Echinocandins are often used as first-line therapy for C. auris infections
• Combination therapy with multiple antifungal agents may be considered in severe cases
• Newer antifungal agents are being developed and tested for efficacy against C. auris

Treatment decisions are typically based on antifungal susceptibility testing results and the patient’s clinical condition. Close monitoring and adjustment of therapy are essential for managing C. auris infections effectively.

Preventing the Spread of Candida auris in Healthcare Settings

Preventing the spread of C. auris in healthcare facilities is crucial for controlling outbreaks and protecting vulnerable patients. Healthcare facilities should implement comprehensive infection control measures to minimize the risk of C. auris transmission.

Key Prevention Strategies

• Strict hand hygiene practices for healthcare workers and visitors
• Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients with C. auris
• Enhanced environmental cleaning and disinfection procedures
• Screening of high-risk patients for C. auris colonization
• Isolation of patients with confirmed or suspected C. auris infections
• Judicious use of antibiotics and antifungal medications to prevent resistance

Healthcare facilities should also maintain open communication with local and state health departments to report suspected cases and coordinate response efforts.

The Role of Surveillance and Research in Combating Candida auris

Ongoing surveillance and research are essential for understanding and controlling the spread of C. auris. Public health agencies, healthcare facilities, and researchers worldwide are collaborating to address this emerging threat.

Current Research Priorities

• Developing improved diagnostic methods for rapid and accurate identification of C. auris
• Investigating the mechanisms of antifungal resistance in C. auris
• Exploring new treatment options, including novel antifungal agents and combination therapies
• Studying the environmental reservoirs and transmission dynamics of C. auris
• Evaluating the effectiveness of various infection control interventions

Continued investment in research and surveillance is crucial for developing effective strategies to prevent and control C. auris infections on a global scale.

The Economic Impact of Candida auris Infections

The emergence of C. auris has significant economic implications for healthcare systems worldwide. The costs associated with C. auris infections extend beyond direct medical expenses and include indirect costs such as lost productivity and the implementation of enhanced infection control measures.

Factors Contributing to Economic Burden

• Prolonged hospital stays for infected patients
• Increased use of expensive antifungal medications
• Implementation of advanced diagnostic techniques
• Enhanced infection control measures and environmental cleaning
• Screening and isolation of high-risk patients
• Training of healthcare personnel in C. auris management

The economic impact of C. auris underscores the importance of investing in prevention and early detection strategies to mitigate both the human and financial costs of this emerging pathogen.

Public Awareness and Education: Key Components in C. auris Prevention

Raising public awareness about C. auris is crucial for prevention and early detection. While healthcare professionals play a primary role in managing C. auris infections, an informed public can contribute significantly to controlling its spread.

Key Messages for Public Education

• Understanding the difference between common yeast infections and C. auris
• Recognizing the risk factors and symptoms of C. auris infections
• Importance of disclosing recent hospitalizations or healthcare exposures to medical providers
• Practicing good hand hygiene and following infection control measures in healthcare settings
• Advocating for appropriate use of antibiotics and antifungal medications

Public health agencies and healthcare facilities should develop and disseminate educational materials to increase awareness about C. auris among patients, families, and community members.

The Future of Candida auris: Predictions and Preparedness

As C. auris continues to emerge as a global health threat, healthcare systems and public health agencies must remain vigilant and prepared. Predicting the future trajectory of C. auris is challenging, but several scenarios are possible:

Potential Future Scenarios

• Continued global spread and emergence in new regions
• Development of increased antifungal resistance
• Evolution of more virulent strains
• Successful containment through improved infection control and treatment strategies

Preparedness efforts should focus on strengthening surveillance systems, improving diagnostic capabilities, developing new treatment options, and enhancing infection control practices. International collaboration and data sharing will be crucial in addressing the evolving threat of C. auris.

Conclusion: A Call to Action Against Candida auris

Candida auris represents a significant and growing threat to global public health. Its ability to cause severe infections, resist multiple antifungal drugs, and spread rapidly in healthcare settings makes it a formidable challenger to modern medicine. While the question “Can you die from a yeast infection?” may seem alarmist for common Candida species, C. auris has demonstrated its potential to be life-threatening, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Addressing the threat of C. auris requires a multifaceted approach involving healthcare providers, researchers, public health agencies, and the general public. Key actions include:

• Improving diagnostic capabilities to ensure rapid and accurate identification of C. auris
• Implementing robust infection control measures in healthcare settings
• Developing new antifungal treatments and exploring combination therapies
• Enhancing surveillance systems to track the spread and evolution of C. auris
• Educating healthcare professionals and the public about the risks and prevention of C. auris infections
• Fostering international collaboration in research and data sharing

By taking these steps, we can work towards mitigating the impact of C. auris and protecting vulnerable populations from this emerging fungal threat. The fight against C. auris serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance, innovation, and collaboration in addressing emerging infectious diseases in our interconnected world.

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

Doctor Myasnikov warned about the mortal danger of candidiasis

July 06, 2021
12:08

She is familiar to most women, they think they know how to recognize her, and are treated for thrush on their own. In children, it is called a jam and is also harassed with folk remedies. Meanwhile, a disease caused by a seemingly harmless fungal infection can become an insidious killer. This was discussed today in the program “About the Most Important” on the channel “Russia 1”.

Candidiasis is an infection caused by microscopic yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida. Their varieties – more than two hundred, of which 30 can cause problems in humans. Alexander Myasnikov spoke about the forms and causes of the development of pathology in the program “About the Most Important” on the channel “Russia 1”.

Half of the people have Candida in their gastrointestinal or genital tract, oral cavity, and this saprophyte does not manifest itself in any way. Until one of the triggers works – illness, stress, pregnancy, taking antibiotics. And then the fungal infection reveals itself.

Most women experience it in the urogenital form. Symptoms of vaginosis (the so-called thrush) are inflammation of the vagina, swelling, itching, pain, white discharge. At the same time, candidiasis is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease (virgins also suffer from it), and it is not required to treat a partner if he does not have symptoms.

Wearers of dentures experience constant dry mouth, children are faced with oral candidiasis, which is characterized by a white coating on the mucous membranes. In people with weakened immunity for various reasons, candidiasis can descend into the esophagus, cause pain, swallowing disorder.

However, candidiasis becomes really life-threatening in intensive care units of hospitals. There are often people with microflora, “scorched” by antibiotics, and at the same time with catheters. These devices become foci of infection. Therefore, each time the catheter is changed, its tip is cut off and sent to the laboratory for culture. Hospital candidiasis can affect the liver and kidneys. In this case, he turns into a killer, which is very difficult to deal with. The chances of dying from drugs against such candidiasis are 50 to 50.

In addition, a few years ago, Japanese scientists discovered candida aureus: it is resistant to all drugs and causes severe damage to internal organs. And if in 2016 the pathogen was found in only a few patients in Japan, now it is found in patients in more than 80 countries.

Risk factors for candidiasis

One of the main ones is diabetes and even just elevated blood glucose levels. The rest are:

– Childhood, adolescence and old age
– Strong stress
– Taking certain medications (antibiotics, estrogens, corticosteroids)
– Increased sweating due to hot weather and synthetic clothing
– Excessive use of intimate hygiene products
– Intrauterine devices
– Pregnancy
– Immunodeficiency
– Obesity
– Oncological diseases

And if candidiasis occurs four or more times a year, you can suspect a genetic predisposition to it.

Dr. Myasnikov warned women against self-treatment: the symptoms of thrush are such that it is easy to confuse it with other ailments, and studies have shown that only 11 out of 600 women have correctly diagnosed themselves. So do not rush to run to the pharmacy for candles – it is better to go to the doctor.

Even more interesting news – in our Instagram (banned in Russia) and Telegram channel @smotrim_ru .

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About health: programs and films

Scientists: thrush can cause schizophrenia and memory problems 05/04/2016

Scientists: thrush can cause schizophrenia and memory problems

Infection with the sexual or oral form of 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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7 495 645-6601 90 Russia Today 0002 MOSCOW, May 4 – RIA Novosti. Infection with the sexual or oral form of 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, 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 of John University and Hopkins in Baltimore (USA).

Severance and her colleagues uncovered this unusual connection between fungi and mental 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 functioning of 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

August 17, 2012, 13:58

Initially, scientists failed to establish links between Candida fungi and mental disorders, but when the authors of the article began to compare data only for men and women, the picture 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.

Scientists: toxoplasmosis causes irreversible changes in brain function

September 19, 2013, 01:00

They forgot new information faster than other participants in the experiment who did not become infected with Candida.

Does this relationship really exist? As the authors of the article themselves believe, based on the recently discovered effects that the Toxoplasma parasite causes in the brain of humans and rodents, it really has a right to exist.