U.S. Reports 13,507 Candida auris Cases in 2022-2024 as Drug Resistance Deepens
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jul 3
U.S. Reports 13,507 Candida auris Cases in 2022-2024 as Drug Resistance Deepens
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jul 3
Summary
13,507 Candida auris cases were reported to the CDC from 2022 to 2024, with the new government study showing steady, significant annual increases across U.S. healthcare settings.
The fungus spreads easily on skin, wounds and surfaces, hits immunocompromised patients hardest, and has been reported by more than half of U.S. states since it was first identified in 2016.
CDC researchers said C. auris is consistently resistant to fluconazole, while experts warned the main remaining treatment is also facing rising resistance and few antifungal alternatives exist.
About 30% of infected patients die, according to an earlier study cited in the report, though the CDC analysis did not include deaths.
Scientists said climate change may be contributing by helping fungi adapt to higher temperatures while putting human hosts under greater stress.