Fungus Resistant to All Major Drugs Found
A pan-drug-resistant strain of Candida auris has been discovered in Nairobi, Kenya, marking the first such case in Africa and only the second globally documented case
A strain of the fungus Candida auris has been found to be resistant to all four major classes of antifungal drugs, with a case reported in Nairobi, Kenya. This marks the first such case in Africa and only the second globally documented case of pan-drug-resistant C. auris.
The fungus was recovered from a 28-year-old woman who developed a hospital-acquired surgical-site infection after elective surgery at a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. The strain is resistant to all four major classes of antifungal drugs, including fluconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, amphotericin B, and flucytosine.
Candida auris has spread to more than 60 countries across six continents since it was first described in 2009. The World Health Organization designated C. auris a critical-priority fungal pathogen in 2022 due to its combination of antifungal resistance and potential for wider spread.
The fungus can persist in healthcare environments and spread easily between patients, with mortality rates of 30-50 percent reported in some situations. Genomic testing confirmed that the fungus belonged to one of the clades associated with high levels of antifungal resistance.
## Why it matters The discovery of a pan-drug-resistant strain of C. auris is particularly troubling, as it raises concerns about the ability to treat infections caused by this fungus. The fact that this strain is resistant to all four major classes of antifungal drugs makes it a significant public health concern.
Another case of pan-drug-resistant C. auris was previously reported in New York in 2022. The strain's genetic profile may provide clues about how its resistance arose, which could be crucial in developing new treatments.
The spread of C. auris to more than 60 countries across six continents highlights the need for increased awareness and vigilance in healthcare settings. The discovery of a pan-drug-resistant strain in Africa and the second globally documented case underscores the importance of continued research and development of new antifungal treatments.
