Candida Auris The Hidden Danger Threatening Global Health

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Protection against Candida auris with Doctor Silver Ion Products

In order to prevent the spread of Candida auris in hospitals
hygiene is of great importance. Doctor Silver Ion products play a critical role in surface and skin hygiene by showing a strong effect against Candida auris and similar pathogens with the silver ion and biopolymer chitin it contains.
Disposable hygiene
products developed especially for intensive care units, elderly care centers and home care patients provide effective protection to minimize the risk of infection. Doctor Silver Ion formula
penetrates the cell wall of microorganisms and neutralizes pathogens.

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A New Threat to Global Health: Candida Auris

Eskisehir Osmangazi University Health Practice and Research Hospital Chief Physician Prof. Dr.
Nurettin Erben, in his article shared on the Ekmud web page, says Candida auris: A New Threat to Global Health

So what is this Candida auris that is so dangerous that it is a global threat?

Candida auris is a type of fungus that threatens human health. It is especially difficult to treat due to its multidrug resistance
. Resistance to fluconazole and
amphotericin B, which are commonly used antifungal drugs, has caused it to become a problem
that requires additional measures in the health field. The fact that some strains are also resistant to echinocandins further limits treatment options
. The fact that it is difficult to diagnose and can be confused with other fungal species makes it easier for Candida
auris to cause hospital outbreaks.

Epidemiology and Spread

Candida
auris was first isolated from the external ear drainage sample of a patient in Japan in 2009, and retrospective investigations revealed that it was actually seen in South Korea in 1996
. As of today, it has been detected in many countries such as the USA, Canada, Colombia, India, Pakistan, Kuwait, Israel, South
Africa, England, Germany, France, Spain. In Turkey
no cases have been reported so far. However, the increase in global mobility and the lack of special precautions against this pathogen
in health services
increase the possibility of its occurrence in our country in the coming years. Although the reasons for the simultaneous emergence of Candida auris in different geographies
are not known for certain, factors such as climate change, widespread use of pesticides and antifungal drugs
are thought to play a role.

Risk Factors

Candida auris infections usually occur in patients with weakened immune systems. The most
common risk factors are:

• Long hospitalization
• Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics or antifungal drugs
• Use of central venous catheters, urinary catheters or tracheostomy tubes
• Diabetes or chronic renal failure
• Long-term treatment in intensive care units
• Patients undergoing cancer treatment and immunosuppressed patients
  

In hospitals, the ability to survive on surfaces for long periods of time increases the risk of Candida auris causing outbreaks.

Symptoms and Clinical Findings

Candida auris infections usually cause infections of the bloodstream, surgical wound infections and ear
infections. More rarely, myocarditis, meningitis and bone
infections have also been reported. It can cause serious outbreaks in patients being treated in intensive care units
and is associated with high mortality rates. The mortality rate of patients with Candida auris infection
is reported to vary between 30% and 60%.

The Problem of Diagnosis and Misidentification

Accurate detection of Candida auris by conventional laboratory methods is difficult. In many
cases it is confused with Candida haemulonii, Candida famata or other candida species.
Therefore, advanced tests such as MALDI-TOF or PCR should be used.

Treatment and the Problem of Resistance

The fact that Candida auris develops resistance to common antifungal drugs limits treatment options. Echinocandins are currently considered the most effective treatment, but
in some cases resistance to these drugs may develop. Liposomal amphotericin B
may be used in patients who do not respond to treatment. The CDC states that antifungal
treatment is not necessary in patients without signs of infection.

Prevention and Infection Control Measures

Precautions to be taken to prevent the spread of Candida auris in the hospital setting include the following:

• Paying utmost attention to hand hygiene
• Implementation of patient isolation
• Correct sterilization of medical equipment
• Preventing unnecessary use of antibiotics and antifungals
• Regular disinfection of hospital surfaces

Protection against Candida auris with Doctor Silver Ion Products

Ensuring hygiene is of great importance to prevent the spread of Candida auris in hospitals.
Doctor Silver Ion products play a critical
role in surface and skin hygiene by showing a strong effect against
Candida auris and similar pathogens with its silver ion and biopolymer chitin. Developed especially for intensive care units, elderly care centers and home care patients
, disposable hygiene products provide effective
protection to minimize the risk of infection. The Doctor Silver Ion formula penetrates the cell wall of microorganisms and
inactivates pathogens. In this way, it supports
measures taken against resistant pathogens such as Candida auris.

Sources

• https://ekmud.org.tr/haber/201-son-zamanlarda-gundemde-olan-bir-etken-em-candida-auris-em
• Candida auris. https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/candida-auris/index.html
• Dimitrios P Kontoyiannis. Worldwide epidemiology and the burden of Candida auris. 13
  April 2019. ECCMID 2019 Amsterdam
• Jeffery-Smith A, Taori SK, Schelenz S, et al. Candida auris: a Review of the Literature. Clin
  Microbiol Rev. 2017;31(1):e00029-17.
• Cortegiani A, Misseri G, Fasciana T, Giammanco A, Giarratano A, Chowdhary A.
  Epidemiology, clinical characteristics, resistance, and treatment of infections by Candida
  auris. J Intensive Care. 2018;6:69.
• Prof. Dr. Nurettin ERBEN, Eskisehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious
  Diseases and Clinical Microbiology