Healthcare facility-associated outbreaks around the world have revealed that the invasive yeast is resistant to typical concentrations of the three major classes of available antifungal drugs. Representative drugs include fluconazole, amphotericin B and caspofungin.
The C. auris yeast causes bloodstream infections, wound infections and otitis (ear infections). The most common risk factors are having an indwelling venous catheter, urinary catheter, recent surgery, previous courses of antibiotics or antifungals and prolonged hospitalization. Death can occur 30-50% of infected patients.
There are three main reasons to be concerned about C. auris infections, say the CDC. First, it is often multidrug-resistant; second, it is difficult to identify; third, it has caused outbreaks in hospital settings.
The yeast infection was first identified in 2009 in Japan after being isolated from ear discharge of a patient. Since then, C. auris infections that have entered the bloodstream have been reported from South Korea, South Africa, India, and Kuwait. Infections have also been identified in Colombia, Pakistan, the U.K., and Venezuela, although these are not detailed in any published reports, note the CDC.
