So, Exactly How Worried Should We Be About Candida Auris? An Infectious Disease Expert Explains

Leah Groth
·4 min read
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A Cleveland Clinic infectious disease expert breaks it down.

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning that Candida auris, an antimicrobial-resistant fungus, has been spreading at “an alarming rate.” The type of yeast infection can also be deadly with a fatality rate of 30 to 60 percent, according to limited data.

So, how worried should you be about the fungal infection? Here, a Cleveland Clinic infectious disease expert explains exactly what Candida auris is, who is most at risk, and how worried you should be about it.

What Is Candida Auris?

Dr. Ryan Miller, DO, infectious disease specialist at Cleveland Clinic, explains that like other Candida species, Candida auris, (C. auris) is a yeast. “Many people are more familiar with Candida albicans, which causes thrush and vaginal yeast infections,” he says. While C. auris acts similarly, it is more resistant to antifungal therapies, which is problematic.

How Is Candida Auris Spread?

C. auris is spread by contact. “You need to come in direct contact with a person who has this yeast on the surface of their body or you need to come in contact with their bodily fluids which have the yeast,” he says. This is why the fungus has become a major threat in healthcare facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes and acute care centers.

In terms of how worried we should be, so far this has mostly been a problem for people with previous medical issues. “People who are chronically ill or severely ill for a long period of time can become colonized with this yeast while going through their medical treatment,” Dr. Miller explains. While healthcare settings take every precaution to prevent C. auris from spreading, “even the best systems have trouble with containing it,” he says.

Related: Answers to Your Most Common Yeast Infection Questions

What Are the Symptoms of Candida Auris?

Symptoms of C. auris depend on where the yeast has infected someone. In fact, most people have no symptoms and do not actually have evidence of infections with this yeast, says Dr. Miller. “This fungus can colonize the body, living innocently in the sweaty parts of our body without harm.”

Unfortunately, for people who are seriously ill for other reasons, this yeast can get into parts of the body that it shouldn't—namely the bloodstream—where it can cause issues. “People with heavy antibiotic and healthcare exposure are at the highest risk for developing this infection, much like other invasive yeast infections,” he continues. If the yeast gets into an organ or the bloodstream of these vulnerable individuals, then it can be life-threatening.

Related: Everything to Know About Telemedicine

Why Is Candida Auris Suddenly Becoming a Problem?

According to the CDC, C. auris was first detected in the U.S. in 2016 and there have been 3,270 clinical cases of infection, along with 7,413 cases in which the fungus was detected without infection.

Why the sudden surge of cases? Dr. Miller explains that antibiotic use increased in general throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, decreasing the effectiveness of the medications. That, in addition to the global travel of people coming from endemic areas, “has allowed the introduction and spread of this yeast in our healthcare setting,” he says.

“The rapid rise and geographic spread of cases is concerning and emphasizes the need for continued surveillance, expanded lab capacity, quicker diagnostic tests, and adherence to proven infection prevention and control,” states CDC epidemiologist Dr. Meghan Lyman, lead author of the research published by the health organization Annals of Internal Medicine.

Related: These Are the Most Common Long COVID Symptoms

How Is Candida Auris Treated?

The first line of treatment for C. auris is a class of intravenous antifungals called echinocandins. Unfortunately, resistance to this class of antifungals is increasing. “There is variable resistance to other antifungals but our strongest medication called amphotericin tends to not work against this yeast,” explains Dr. Miller.

“We should have a degree of concern as our current antifungals are not as effective as one would like,” he says. “There needs to be more research and development in novel antifungals to combat this new threat.” He points to similar issues tackled in the past—including Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which led to the introduction of new anti-MRSA antibiotics. “I am confident researchers will be able to create new therapies as long as their work is prioritized by research grant foundations,” he says.

How Can You Prevent Candida Auris From Spreading?

The most efficient way to prevent the spread of C. auris will give you a March 2020 flashback: wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. “Certain healthcare settings will use gowns and gloves to be extra cautious, but this is not necessary for day-to-day living,” Dr. Millers says.

Next up: Here’s what you should know about taking probiotics for better health.

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