For years, experts have been warning about Candida auris, a fungus resistant to drugs, challenging to diagnose, remove, and treat once it appears. This dangerous fungus, also referred to as C. auris, saw its cases nearly triple this summer. A recent study by Cambridge University Press highlights those most affected.

Candida auris poses a significant threat in healthcare environments, such as hospitals and nursing homes, where it can persist on surfaces like door handles, countertops, and bed rails for extended periods. Its resistance to antimicrobials, the drugs meant to eradicate it, complicates cleaning and removal efforts.

The fungus typically enters the body through a catheter, breathing tube, feeding tube or PICC line.

Analyzing data from 321 patients, the study revealed that those infected with Candida auris typically had “substantial underlying health problems and disease burdens,” with an average age of 60 to 64.

The findings indicated that over fifty percent of these patients needed ICU care, with more than a third requiring mechanical ventilation. Additionally, a significant portion of the patients underwent blood transfusions.

Individuals with robust immune systems generally combat the fungal infection more effectively than those who are older or have other illnesses. Previously, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that “based on information from a limited number of patients, 30–60% of people with C. auris infections have died.”

The cases of Candida auris continue to rise across the U.S. The latest data available from the CDC shows 2,961 infections so far this year.