CANDIDA AURIS: EMERGENCE AND EPIDEMIOLOGY OF A HIGHLY PATHOGENIC YEAST

Paula Slomp Santos,Daiane Flores Dalla Lana,Adelina Mezzari

doi:10.4322/2357-9730.73982

Paula Slomp Santos, Daiane Flores Dalla Lana + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4322/2357-9730.73982

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Abstract

Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant emerging yeast, which was responsible for healthcare-associated infection outbreaks, and was cataloged as a new species in 2009, after being isolated from a patient’s ear canal secretion in Japan. Since the notification of this first occurrence, numerous cases have been reported throughout the world, including Brazil. C. auris affects mainly inpatients, patients in intensive care units, exposed to broad-spectrum antifungal medications and who make use of vascular catheters. Currently, this yeast is one of the main responsible for invasive infections in hospitals and has been cause of concern by authorities and organs due to its rapid dissemination and difficult treatment caused by its low susceptibility to antifungal agents traditionally used in clinical practice. As a contributor to the severity of infections associated with C. auris , the transmission mechanism is still unknown, which implies in a lack of control of the microorganism and high mortality rates. Thus, this literature review presents relevant information in order to alert the importance of C. auris as an etiological agent of systemic infections, as well as its epidemiology and the real challenges of the treatment. Keywords : Candida auris ; candidiasis; candidemia; multidrug-resistance; biofilm; epidemiology; diagnosis

Highlights

Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant emerging yeast, which was responsible for healthcare-associated infection outbreaks, and was cataloged as a new species in 2009, after being isolated from a patient’s ear canal secretion in Japan
In 2013, a study reported 33% of lethality in cases of bloodstream infections (BSIs) attributed to C. auris in all patients and 57% in the subgroup of patients admitted to intensive care therapy units; these rates can be attributed to the severity of underlying diseases in these patients[8]
C. auris is a multidrug-resistant, pathogenic yeast that can be a source of healthcare-associated infections in hospitals

Summary

Introduction

Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant emerging yeast, which was responsible for healthcare-associated infection outbreaks, and was cataloged as a new species in 2009, after being isolated from a patient’s ear canal secretion in Japan. The main virulence factors of yeasts that induce infection are[3]: a) secretion of extracellular enzymes such as phospholipases and proteinases, which degrade the host tissue leading to tissue invasion[3]; b) Production of toxic substances that damage the cells[3]; c) Creation of biofilms on cells and inert surfaces[3]; d) Formation of pseudohyphae by certain species of Candida spp.[3]; e) Production of hemolysins[2]; f) The ability to adhere to medical and hospital materials and host cells[3] The sum of these mechanisms with the weakness of the host response may lead to candidiasis[3]. Microorganisms usually live naturally in communities, through the formation of biofilm; this is due to the advantages of being in association, among which http://seer.ufrgs.br/hcpa

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