Candida auris: the most talked about multidrug-resistant emerging fungal pathogen

Currently Candida auris is the most talked about multidrug-resistant emerging fungal pathogen. It can cause difficult-to-control nosocomial outbreaks worldwide, being highly contagious, and poses serious challenges to public health authorities. A wide spectrum of infections, ranging from superficial mucosal infections, candidemia to disseminated deep-seated disease, having been reported from more than 40 countries, including Australia. Outbreaks are associated with high mortality rates due to rapid transmission and challenges in prevention, control, and treatment. It is shows a high multidrug-resistance (with 90% of isolates resistant to fluconazole), and is extremely tolerant to conditions which usually limit fungal transmission, including commonly used disinfectants. Whole genome analysis has revealed five different closely related clades (named after the geographical areas they have been first encoundered) with distinct clonal lineages. Its environmental niche remained a mystery until recently when it was found in India in association with costal aquatic environments.

Automated summary

Candida auris is currently the most talked about multidrug-resistant emerging fungal pathogen, posing serious challenges to public health authorities due to its highly contagious nature and difficult-to-control nosocomial outbreaks worldwide. It shows high levels of multidrug-resistance and extreme tolerance to conditions that usually limit fungal transmission. Recently, it has been found in India associated with coastal aquatic environments.