As the world recovers from the onslaught of COVID-19, another pathogenic disease is now becoming a cause of concern in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that a dangerous and lethal fungus, Candida auris, has been spreading in the country "at an alarming rate" during the pandemic.
The fungus is known for being resistant to fungal treatments, and it can be deadly among the immunocompromised population, making it an "urgent public threat."
Number of Candida Auris Infections in the U.S. Triples in Two Year's Time
According to a news statement from CDC, healthcare facilities in the U.S. have seen a sharp increase in the number of Candida auris infections over the last few years. In 2021, the recorded cases of the potent fungal disease in the country grew by 95%.
From 2019 to 2021, clinical Candida auris infections tripled in number, from 476 to 1,471. The asymptomatic cases of the fungal disease, in which the fungus is not causing symptomatic infections but rather carried by the person externally, also tripled during the same time frame - from 1,077 to 4,040. These numbers can be found in the CDC report published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Also, from 2019 to 2021, 17 states had reported their first case of Candida auris. Based on the recent numbers, a total of 28 states and the District of Columbia now have confirmed cases of the fungal infection.
Fungal infection caused by Candida auris was first detected in the United States in 2016. At the time, the fungus was reported in just four states. Fast forward to last year, the disease continues to spread very quickly, based on preliminary data reported by Gizmodo. Between January and December 2022, a total of 2,377 clinical infections had been recorded. The same time period also saw 5,754 asymptomatic cases.
Related Article: WHO Names Most Harmful Fungi Amid Surge In Fungal Infection Cases
Candida Auris Often Deadly to Immunocompromised Patients, Becoming More Drug-Resistant
According to Time, the sharp increase in numbers during the pandemic only shows that the health and safety measures implemented in healthcare facilities across the country may not be enough to fight the spread of the disease.
Based on available data, CDC does not see Candida auris posing a danger towards healthy individuals. If the fungus tries to infiltrate a healthy human host with a strong immune system, it is not expected to cause clinical symptoms.
However, it is a whole different story when it comes to immunocompromised people, and people with implanted medical devices in their bodies, as the fungus can cause blood, heart and brain infections that can lead to the death of the already ill patients.
From the confirmed cases of Candida auris infection in the United States, the mortality rate ranges from 30% to 60%. It should be noted, however, that those people who succumbed from the fungal disease also suffered from other medical conditions. It is hard to determine whether the cause of death of the patients is due to the fungus.
It also does not help that the fungus is becoming more resistant than ever to antifungal medications. The same CDC report shows that the number of medicine-resistant cases tripled in 2021. The known drugs to be effective in fighting off Candida auris are echinocandins, but recent data suggests that its effectiveness to warding off fungal infection decreases over time.
