Drug-Resistant Fungus C. auris Spreads Across U.S. Hospitals

A dangerous and drug-resistant fungus known as Candida auris is rapidly spreading through hospitals in the United States, raising significant health concerns. According to a review published in early December 2023 by researchers from the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI), this pathogen is becoming increasingly resistant to treatments and human immune responses. The findings echo previous warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has classified C. auris as an “urgent antimicrobial threat,” marking it as the first fungal pathogen to receive such a designation.

The review highlights a troubling rise in C. auris cases, with approximately 7,000 infections reported across dozens of U.S. states in 2025, and the fungus has been identified in at least 60 countries worldwide. C. auris poses the highest risk to critically ill patients, particularly those on ventilators or with compromised immune systems. For infected individuals, mortality rates can be as high as 50%, underscoring the urgency of addressing this health crisis.

Challenges in Containment and Treatment

Researchers Dr. Neeraj Chauhan, Dr. Anuradha Chowdhary, and Dr. Michail Lionakis conducted the review, which appeared in the journal Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews. They emphasized the difficulties in controlling the spread of C. auris, noting the limitations in existing diagnostic tools and treatment options. The team called for the development of “novel antifungal agents” with broad-spectrum effectiveness against fungal pathogens, improved diagnostic tests, and immune-based therapies for high-risk patients.

The researchers also stressed the importance of raising awareness about fungal diseases, particularly in resource-limited countries, to enhance surveillance and treatment outcomes. C. auris can survive on human skin and hospital surfaces, which facilitates its spread in vulnerable healthcare environments.

Implications for Public Health

First identified in Japan in 2009 from a patient’s ear sample, C. auris has since caused outbreaks in various countries, including the United States. Some hospital intensive care units have had to shut down due to rising infection rates. The unique resistance of C. auris to multiple antifungal drugs presents a significant challenge, with the fungus often spreading through contaminated medical equipment used on immunocompromised patients.

Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst at Fox News and clinical professor at NYU Langone, noted that the symptoms of C. auris infections can mimic those of other illnesses, complicating timely diagnosis and treatment. Currently, there are only four major classes of antifungal drugs, and C. auris has already demonstrated resistance to many of them. While several new antifungal drugs are in late-stage trials, researchers acknowledge that drug development has not kept pace with the fungus’s rapid evolution.

Despite these challenges, recent research from the University of Exeter has uncovered a potential vulnerability in C. auris. Scientists studying the fungus in a living-host model discovered that it activates specific genes to scavenge iron during infection, a nutrient essential for its survival. This finding suggests that targeting the iron acquisition process could lead to new treatment options or repurposing existing medications.

As research continues, health officials stress the importance of strict infection control measures, rapid detection, and ongoing investment in new treatments. C. auris is not a threat to healthy individuals, but its impact on vulnerable populations remains a critical concern.

The situation requires a concerted effort among healthcare providers and researchers to develop effective strategies against this evolving pathogen.