Candida auris
How dangerous is resistant yeast?
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Fungal diseases are stubborn and can spread quickly. The yeast Candida auris is currently causing concern. In the United States, the number of infections is increasing dramatically. Although there have only been a few cases in Germany so far, they are already enough to put experts on the alert. Because: The pathogen is not harmless.
At the beginning of the year, the US Department of Health and Human Services reported for the first time on the pathogenic fungus Candida auris, which spreads very quickly, especially in healthcare facilities. In the US, cases had more than quadrupled since 2020 – from 1,310 cases then to 5,754 last year. In 2022, a total of 2,377 people with the infection had to be treated in hospital. In the meantime, the number of infections in Germany, England, Spain and Italy is also increasing.
Candida auris: Dramatically increasing number of infections in the USA
In the US, the infection has now been classified as an “urgent threat,” which is the highest priority category within multidrug-resistant pathogens. And that is exactly what makes it so dangerous: the fungus is resistant to some antimycotics (drugs to combat fungal infections, of which there are not many) and disinfectants.
Candida auris is a fungal infection that mainly occurs in hospitals. The yeast fungus is transmitted by smear and dirt infections – i.e. mainly via contaminated surfaces, but human-to-human transmission has also been discovered, but not via aerosols, as is the case with the corona virus. The yeast fungus was first detected in Japan in 2009 in the external auditory canal of a 70-year-old patient.
Resistant fungus becomes dangerous for people in intensive care units
Candida auris does not pose a threat to a healthy person, according to Prof. Dr. Oliver Kurzai from the Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology in Würzburg told ZDF. For patients in intensive care units, however, the yeast fungus can be life-threatening. The experts also warn people with a weakened immune system or certain previous illnesses to be careful. Once the fungus enters the body, it can cause serious illnesses such as affecting the central nervous system, organs, bones and the eyes.
In Germany there were a total of 43 cases in 2022. Despite the seemingly low number of infections, experts are concerned. Therefore, a team of scientists from Würzburg, Jena and Berlin is now calling for an obligation to report infections with the yeast fungus. With a view to the spread in hospitals, microbiologist Alexander Aldejohann from the University of Würzburg warns in the editorial network Germany: “Our experience shows that every infection with Candida auris is difficult to treat and potentially life-threatening for patients.”
Obligation to report yeast infections in Germany too?
The strong spread in the USA is also a cause for concern for researchers in Germany. In addition, in 2023 the fungal species was also classified as one of only four fungal pathogens in a list by the World Health Organization (WHO) at the highest warning level. We should take the strong increases in other countries as a warning signal here, according to Aldejohann. After all, the number of cases in Germany also doubled between 2020 and 2021.
A laboratory reporting requirement for Candida auris has already been introduced in the USA. The research team recommends introducing this obligation to report as early as possible in Germany, so that the yeast fungus can be monitored much better. In the “Deutsches Ärzteblatt” they explained that it was a reasonable effort and that protective measures could be taken as quickly as possible in the event of a strong spread. The researchers are currently assuming a high number of unreported infections.
Sources used: zdf.de, rnd.de, aerzteblatt.de