Candida aureus infections on the rise in the United States: Deadly fungus arrives in Washington state

In Washington state, four people have tested positive this month Fungal infection A rare that can be fatal, marking the first known outbreak Candida aureus fungus In the region, according to health officials Seattle and county the king. The incident comes in a context where the disease continues to spread across the United States, with the number of cases increasing annually since 2016.

Candida auris It is a pathogen resistant to some common antifungal drugs and infects people with weakened immune systems. It is frequently seen in hospital patients who use catheters, breathing tubes, or feeding tubes.

According to NBC NewsFour cases in Washington was identified in patients of Kindred Hospital Seattle First Hill, a long-term acute care hospital. According to the Public Health Department of SeattleNone of these patients died.

The first case was reported to the department on January 10, following a routine screening program aimed at identifying infection before symptoms develop. The remaining three patients tested positive on January 22 and the last case was confirmed the following Friday, all testing negative. Candida auris on admission to the hospital, indicating that they had acquired a fungal infection during their hospital stay.

One of the patients had an infection, meaning the fungus entered a part of the body where it could potentially cause symptoms (such as bleeding, ears or open wounds). The rest were colonized by Candida aurisWhich means they carry fungus in their bodies and can transmit it to others without getting sick.

It was first identified in Japan in 2009 CDC In 2016 a request was made that laboratories in the United States report cases Candida auris, identifying cases up to 2013 after reviewing records. Since reporting began, the largest increase occurred from 2020 to 2021, when cases Candida auris There is an increase of 94%.

As of December 2022, the fungus was found in 36 states of the country, with more than 5,600 infections reported from 2013 to 2022, in addition to more than 13,000 colonies identified through screening that did not have signs of infection.

This CDC They pointed out that there has been an increase Candida auris Due to increased screening and poor infection prevention and control practices in healthcare facilities, the situation may worsen due to staff shortages and longer patient stays. Nationwide outbreak of Kovid-19.

About 90% of fungal strains in the United States are resistant to drugs commonly used to treat other fungal infections. Most varieties Candida auris They can be treated with drugs from one of the three main classes of antifungals, but some are resistant to all of them.

relative It is the only center in Washington which examines all newly admitted patients Candida aurisPart of a state-led program launched in 2022. The tests use swabs from the armpits and groin, areas of skin that the fungus likes to colonize.

This is the first outbreak thanks to a detection program, although it is difficult to determine how far the fungus has spread. Sharon BoganA spokesperson for the Department of Health Seattle and county the king.

People can get Candida auris By direct contact with a person carrying the fungus or by touching contaminated surfaces or objects with it. Studies have shown that fungi can survive on surfaces for at least two weeks.