Multiple states are reporting cases of a super fungus resistant to the strongest of antifungal medications.
The CDC is now reporting 587 confirmed clinical cases of the fungal infection, Candida auris (C. auris), that unfortunately is resistant to multiple types of antifungal drugs. Moreover another 1056 cases are being monitored who were in contact with those infected. This spike is very worrisome.
States reporting cases include:
- California
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Virginia
The majority of the cases are in New York, Illinois, and New Jersey. It was first seen in 2016 in Illinois ad 60% of those infected that year had died but they had other comorbid conditions, which could have also contributed to their becoming infected with C. auris to begin with.
Please note that this fungus is different from the species, Candida albicans, which causes common yeast infections.
When investigators analyzed the facilities, they found C. auris had colonized mattresses, beds, chairs, counter surfaces, infusion pumps, and window sills. By this, the superbug demonstrates its resilience outside a human host.
The super fungus still has some vulnerability to antifungal medication but its resistance is increasing.
- auris can cause a variety of infections involving the skin and ear, but most concerning, is sepsis (infection of the bloodstream). C. auris was first identified in Japan back in 2009, but upon retrospective review, the CDC states the earliest known strain dates back to 1996. Since then it has been reported in multiple countries including the UK, Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, and Venezuela.
Most hospital disinfectants are currently designed to be antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral. The CDC has urged healthcare facilities to be diligent in their cleaning practices and to be aware of this “super fungus.”
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Daliah Wachs is a guest contributor to GCN news, her views and opinions, medical or otherwise, if expressed, are her own. Doctor Wachs is an MD, FAAFP and a Board Certified Family Physician. The Dr. Daliah Show , is nationally syndicated M-F from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm and Saturday from Noon-1:00 pm (all central times) at GCN.