Candida auris infection

Candida auris is a species of fungus that grows as a yeast and represents one of the few species within the genus Candida (now classified as Candidozyma) capable of causing candidiasis in humans. It is recognized as an emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen that has been incorporated into CDC surveillance systems due to its public health significance. The organism was first described in the scientific literature in 2019, though subsequent evidence suggests earlier emergence.

C. auris can cause invasive candidiasis, also known as fungemia, in which the bloodstream becomes infected with the pathogen. The infection may extend to involve the central nervous system and internal organs, leading to serious systemic disease. Clinical presentation typically occurs in hospitalized patients with compromised immune defenses, where the organism can establish deep-seated infections that are difficult to treat due to antifungal resistance patterns.

C. auris functions as a colonizer of human skin, with transmission most commonly occurring in long-term care medical facilities and other healthcare settings. The organism demonstrates remarkable environmental persistence, capable of surviving on inanimate surfaces and medical devices for extended periods, which facilitates healthcare-associated transmission chains. The environmental reservoirs of C. auris remain incompletely characterized, representing a knowledge gap in understanding its ecology and transmission dynamics.

Transmission occurs primarily through contact with colonized individuals or contaminated environmental surfaces and medical equipment within healthcare settings. The organism's ability to persist on surfaces for prolonged periods creates ongoing opportunities for healthcare-associated spread. Person-to-person transmission via healthcare worker hands or shared equipment represents the principal exposure mechanism in institutional settings.

Hospitalized patients with weakened or compromised immune systems represent the primary population at risk for C. auris infection. Individuals receiving care in long-term care facilities and other healthcare settings face elevated exposure risk due to the organism's presence in these environments. Patients with recent hospitalization, invasive medical devices, or prior antibiotic or antifungal exposure may be at increased risk for colonization and subsequent invasive disease.

Enhanced infection prevention and control measures are critical for containing C. auris transmission in healthcare environments, including rigorous hand hygiene and environmental disinfection protocols. Surveillance cultures and screening of contacts may be employed to identify colonized individuals and implement appropriate isolation precautions. The persistence of the organism on surfaces necessitates the use of disinfectants with proven activity against C. auris.

C. auris has been designated as a notifiable or surveillance priority organism by public health authorities due to its multidrug resistance and outbreak potential. Healthcare facilities are encouraged to maintain heightened awareness for C. auris cases, particularly among patients with recent healthcare exposure or prior antifungal treatment. Laboratory identification and susceptibility testing are essential for case confirmation and guiding infection control responses.

1. 1 Wikidata. Candida auris Infection.
2. 2 Wikipedia. Candida auris.

ICD-10

ICD-11

Total cases

6K

Peak month

2025-08

Coverage

1 reporting countries · 2020-05-30 → 2026-05-09