Deadly Fungus Among Us

By Olivia Wann

There is a deadly fungus among us!  Recently we learned more about Candida auris at the OSAP meeting.  Candida auris (C. auris) is a deadly fungus that spreads in healthcare settings.  It can be carried on the patient’s skin and spread to others.

C. auris can enter the bloodstream and cause very serious infections, especially among older patients. According to CDC, more than 1 in 3 patients die within a month of being diagnosed with an invasive C. auris infection.

This fungus is often multidrug-resistant.  What is effective in treating other Candida fungal infections is not effective in treating C. auris.

C. auris is difficult to identify and can easily be misidentified as another type of fungus.  This is why it is critical to use the correct specialized laboratory method for identification.

C. auris can withstand disinfectants used in healthcare such as quaternary ammonium compounds. (Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/candida-auris/c-auris-infection-control.html)