Drug-Resistant Fungus Candida auris Poses Growing Threat to US Hospitals
A highly resilient and increasingly widespread fungal pathogen, Candida auris (C. auris), is challenging infection control protocols in healthcare facilities across teh United States. The fungus, first identified in 2009, has demonstrated resistance not only to multiple antifungal drugs but also to common hospital disinfectants, creating a scenario where even a weak strain can lead to perilous outcomes for vulnerable patients.As of today,C. auris has been detected in at least 27 states.
The Rise of a Multi-Drug Resistant Threat
C. auris belongs to the Candida genus,a common group of fungi,but it is unique in its ability to thrive exclusively in healthcare settings and develop resistance to treatment.According to available data, over 90% of C. auris isolates tested are resistant to at least one of the five main classes of antifungals, with over 30% exhibiting resistance to three or more. Crucially, its the resistance to treatment – not the fungus’s inherent virulence – that accounts for the alarming 30-60% mortality rate associated with C. auris infections, especially in patients with pre-existing health conditions.
Beyond Antifungals: A Challenge for Disinfection Protocols
The threat posed by C. auris extends beyond medical treatments.The fungus has also developed resistance to commonly used cleaners and disinfectants, including quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATs) and acetic acid cleaners. Effective eradication now requires enhanced terminal cleaning with bleach or chlorine, alongside extended cycle times for ultraviolet (UV) radiation disinfection.With a minimum contact time for transmission estimated at around four hours, C. auris has ample possibility to spread between routine cleaning schedules.
Biocidal Surfaces Offer a Potential Solution
A promising approach to combatting this resilient pathogen lies in the implementation of copper-infused biocidal surfaces.Recent testing indicates that EOSCU, a copper-infused solid surface, can eliminate greater than 99.99% of C. auris cells in just two hours – significantly less than the estimated four-hour transmission window. Equipping patient rooms with biocidal bed rails, overbed tables, and other horizontal surfaces could dramatically reduce the risk of transmission, both while a patient is present and for future occupants.
Understanding the Role of Surface Transmission
To fully grasp how surfaces can definitely help control C. auris outbreaks, it’s essential to understand the fungus’s transmission pathways. C. auris can colonize a person’s body without causing immediate infection, shedding onto surfaces they touch. Healthcare workers, through contact with contaminated surfaces – via hands, clothing, or equipment – can then inadvertently transfer the fungus to vulnerable patients with open wounds or indwelling devices like catheters or ventilators.
A Persistent Threat Within Healthcare Facilities
Once established within a healthcare facility, C. auris can spread rapidly. Patients can acquire the fungus simply by being admitted to the same hospital as an infected individual. While the precise routes of transmission remain under investigation, research consistently demonstrates that surfaces play a significant role in the spread of hospital-associated infections. Statistically significant scientific evidence now supports the use of biocidal surfaces as a means of breaking this chain of transmission, lowering outbreak risk and preventing the fungus from persisting.
For further details regarding the EOSCU testing results for C. auris, please contact our office.
