Candida auris: A Growing Global Threat

The fungal species Candida auris is spreading across the globe and becoming more virulent, according to a new review by a Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI) scientist and colleagues.

However, strategies are available and underway to combat this invasive and drug-resistant germ, as detailed in the new review published in the American Society of Microbiology journal Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews.

The paper summarizes and analyzes the latest developments – and needs – in mycology as of 2025. Neeraj Chauhan, Ph.D., of the CDI co-authored the review with Anuradha Chowdhary, Ph.D., of the Medical Mycology unit at the Vallabhbhai Patel chest Institute at the University of Delhi, a global leader in identifying and combating fungal threats. Dr. Chowdhary was among the first scientists to identify C. auris as a major public health threat in India in 2014 and is also a visiting researcher at the CDI. Michail Lionakis, M.D., Sc.D., chief of the clinical mycology program at the National Institutes of Health, and a leading fungal immunologist, also contributed.

Together,the authors found:

• Invasive fungal infections affect approximately 6.5 million people annually worldwide.

• These infections cause nearly 1.7 million deaths each year.

• Candida auris is a particularly risky pathogen due to its ability to cause severe illness,its resistance to multiple antifungal drugs,and its tendency to spread rapidly in healthcare settings.

• The emergence of C. auris is linked to several factors, including increased global travel, overuse of antifungal medications in agriculture, and climate change.

• New diagnostic tools and antifungal therapies are needed to effectively combat C. auris and other emerging fungal threats.

“Fungal infections are often overlooked,but they pose a meaningful threat to public health,especially in vulnerable populations,” says Dr. Chauhan. “This review highlights the urgent need for increased research and investment in mycology to develop new strategies for preventing and treating these infections.”

The authors emphasize the importance of early detection, rapid diagnosis, and appropriate antifungal treatment to improve patient outcomes.They also call for enhanced surveillance and infection control measures in healthcare facilities to prevent the spread of C. auris.

“We need a coordinated global effort to address the growing threat of fungal infections,” says Dr. Chowdhary. “This includes strengthening laboratory capacity, improving antifungal stewardship, and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic tools.”

Dr. Lionakis adds, “Understanding the immune response to fungal infections is crucial for developing effective therapies. We need to invest in research to identify new targets for immunotherapy and develop vaccines to prevent fungal diseases.”

publication Date: 2025/12/31 02:01:38