The Fungus was only discovered a few years ago and pathogen Candida auris is spreading rapidly in Germany. According to Evaluation of the National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infections (NRZMyk) based in Jena, it was detected 77 times nationwide in 2023, six times more often than in previous years. The yeast fungus, which was only discovered in 2009, can be transmitted between people and is immune to various medications.
“We are currently assuming with a high degree of certainty that this is a real increase in the number of cases and not a better recording,” said Oliver Kurzai from the Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology at the University of Würzburg, also head of NRZMyk, on Thursday. So far, the reference center is not aware of any deaths in Germany that can be directly attributed to an infection with the yeast fungus. Nevertheless, the fungus is dangerous, especially for people who are previously ill or have a weakened immune system. According to Kurzai, in addition to bloodstream infections (“fungal sepsis”), infections of prostheses and foreign materials in the body caused by Candida auris are particularly threatening and difficult to treat, such as infections of joint prostheses.
The research team led by Alexander M. Aldejohann from the University of Würzburg has reported the increase in the number of cases in Germany Epidemiological Bulletin published by the Robert Koch Institute. Only some of these cases were recorded as part of the reporting requirement introduced in 2023, as this only applies to certain infections. A further increase in the number of cases in Germany must be assumed to be likely; a general reporting requirement for every laboratory finding could slow down the spread of the fungus. It also recommends comprehensive testing for Candida auris.
If the fungus gets into the bloodstream, there is a risk of dangerous blood poisoning
The fungus usually does not affect healthy people. It can become a problem in hospitals and care facilities, especially in intensive care units. Transmission occurs via smear infections. The pathogen does not spread through the air, such as the coronavirus. “If Candida auris gets into your bloodstream, there is a risk of blood poisoning, which is fatal in just over half of all cases,” write the researchers.
In 58 of 77 cases registered in Germany last year, the patients were infected with the fungus. According to the scientists, infection occurred in 13 other cases. In six cases the status is unclear. Of the colonized patients or those with unclear infection status, five later developed an invasive infection. The most common infections were wound and tissue infections, bloodstream and catheter-associated infections and prosthetic infections.
It is said that the increase in Candida auris is primarily due to three outbreaks. “The enormous increase in 2023 surprised us. The decisive factor here is, above all, outbreaks in hospitals. If these are not recognized early and dealt with adequately, they will be very difficult to get under control later,” explained Aldejohann.
The yeast Candida auris, which was only discovered in 2009, has quickly spread internationally. The pathogen was extremely persistent from the start resistant to some antimycotics – drugs used to combat fungal infections – and some disinfectants.