Candida auris: the most talked about multidrug-resistant emerging fungal pathogen

Abstract

Currently Candida auris is the most talked about multidrug-resistant emerging fungal pathogen. It can cause difficult-to-control nosocomial outbreaks worldwide, being highly contagious, and poses serious challenges to public health authorities. A wide spectrum of infections, ranging from superficial mucosal infections, candidemia to disseminated deep-seated disease, having been reported from more than 40 countries, including Australia. Outbreaks are associated with high mortality rates due to rapid transmission and challenges in prevention, control, and treatment. It is shows a high multidrug-resistance (with 90% of isolates resistant to fluconazole), and is extremely tolerant to conditions which usually limit fungal transmission, including commonly used disinfectants. Whole genome analysis has revealed five different closely related clades (named after the geographical areas they have been first encoundered) with distinct clonal lineages. Its environmental niche remained a mystery until recently when it was found in India in association with costal aquatic environments.