Candida auris is a type of fungus that has gained health importance due to difficulty in treatment because it is resistant to various antifungals and difficulty identifying, as it can be confused with other Candida species, and is currently known as superfungal.
Candida auris was first ingested in 2009 from a sample of discharge into the ear of a Japanese patient and in 2016 it was determined that it was mandatory to report the onset of this fungus, as treatment and control of this infection are difficult.
- Infection is most common in people who stay in the hospital for extended periods and have a weakened immune system.
- Which promotes the presence of the fungus in the bloodstream.
- Resulting in the onset of certain symptoms.
- Such as:.
This fungus has been first identified in the ear, but may also be related to urinary and respiratory tract infections, and may be confused with other microorganisms.
Diagnosing Candida auris infection is difficult because the available identification methods are not very specific to the identification of this species, and it is important to perform more specific tests, such as PCR, for example, to confirm the species. fungi can be isolated from various biological materials, such as blood, wound secretions, respiratory secretions and urine, for example.
The risk of candida auris infection is higher when the person stays in the hospital for a long time, has already used antifungals, has a central venous catheter or other tubes in the body, as this fungus has the ability to adhere to the medical equipment, making it difficult to treat and promote its proliferation.
Prolonged or indiscriminate use of antibiotics may also promote infection with this superphone, as excess antibiotics can kill bacteria that are able to combat candida auris’ entry into the body, thus preventing infection. Thus, the more antibiotics are used, the greater the risk of contagion with this superphone, especially when the person is in a hospital setting.
In addition, people who have recently had surgery have chronic diseases, such as diabetes, and have a weakened immune system have an increased risk of Candida auris infection.
For this reason, it is important that the hospital has an effective infection control system and promotes infection prevention measures related to both the patient and hospital staff and visitors. Learn how to prevent hospital-acquired infections.
Another factor that promotes candida auris infection is high temperature, due to increased temperature due to environmental factors, the fungus has developed mechanisms of resistance to high temperatures, managing to survive and proliferate more easily in the environment and in the human body.
Treatment of Candida auris is difficult because this fungus has shown resistance to antifungals normally used in the treatment of Candida infections, so it is also called a superfunction, so treatment is defined by the doctor based on the severity of the infection and the patient’s immunity. and the use of antifungals of the equinocandine class or the association of several high doses of antifungals may be indicated.
It is important that the Candida auris infection is identified and treated as quickly as possible to prevent this fungus from spreading into the bloodstream and causing a widespread, often fatal infection.