Candida auris (Saccharomycetaceae) is an emerging multidrug resistant fungal
pathogen. The isolates are resistant to: fluconazole, amphotericin B, and
echinocandins. The ecological niches for this fungus remain unidentified.
However, the survival and persistence ability on dry surfaces and within
hospital environments may contribute to the prevalence and outbreaks of
C. auris worldwide. Several factors are related to the high virulence of C.
auris, such as the multidrug resistance, biofilm development, production
of phospholipases and proteinases and the ability to escape the response
of the innate immune system. Since the first report of C. auris infection in
Japan in 2009, this fungus has been isolated from cases on all continents. C.
auris can be transmitted between patients in healthcare settings and cause
healthcare-associated outbreaks. It can colonize patients, especially on the
skin, perhaps indefinitely, and persist for weeks in the healthcare environment.
Hospitalized patients, particularly those with multiple comorbidities in
intensive care settings, acquire C. auris from close contact with C. auris
infected individuals, their environment, or the equipment used on colonized
patients, often with fatal consequences. The crude in hospital mortality rate
for C. auris candidemia is estimated to range from 30 to 72%. In most cases,
clinical presentation is non-specific and it is often difficult to differentiate
between other types of systemic infections. including bloodstream infections,
urinary tract infection, otitis, surgical wound infections, skin abscesses.
Micafungin, echinocandin drug, has been recommended as the first-line
treatment for C. auris infections in adults, neonates and infants. We review
the global emergence, biology, laboratory identification, drug resistance,
clinical manifestations, treatment, risk factors for infection, and transmission
of C. auris.