Candida auris: superfungo spreads and worries doctors

The yeast Candida auris is an infection caused by fungi, which can affect different parts of the body: the bloodstream, the breathing system , and the demand .

In addition, they can still cause or aggravate wound infections.

The problem that worries scientists is that this microorganism is stronger than the drugs available. It appears that the microbe behaves similarly to bacteria, being able to create resistance to treatments.

Therefore, Candida auris is almost invincible. For every 3 people who contract this yeast, 1 dies.

What most intrigues doctors is the mystery. It is not yet known how it started to exist, what drugs could fight it and it is not possible to estimate future outbreaks.

Read more: Misuse of antibiotics creates superbugs that can kill

What is known so far

Yeast has already been diagnosed in various parts of the world (United States, Venezuela, Spain, South Africa, India, Japan and Pakistan, for example). It is not known how Candida auris spread globally.

In general, it attacks people with weakened immune systems. Some groups appear to be more prone to infections:

  • Patients who have been hospitalized for a long time;
  • Patients who have a central venous catheter or other tubes attached to the body;
  • Patients who have already received antibiotics and yeast-fighting drugs;
  • Smokers and people with breathing problems.

Even so, this microorganism was found in people of all ages (from newborn babies to the elderly).

In one case that happened in the United States, an elderly man who was infected was admitted to the hospital for 90 days before he died.

Read more: Staphylococcus aureus infection leads to death within hours

After that time, some tests indicated that the germ was still alive in that environment. It was necessary to change the floor and repaint the walls of the room in which the elderly person was.

This fungus has also banned an ICU in Great Britain and a maternity hospital in Venezuela.

As it acts in several ways, the yeast Candida auris has no specific symptoms. However, fever and fatigue have been reported in several cases. The diagnosis is made through exams.

Contact with infected environments and people is the most common way of contracting yeast. Therefore, hygienic attitudes such as washing your hands frequently can help prevent Candida auris .

Candida auris in Brazil

Recently, the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) issued a statement alerting hospitals and clinics across Brazil about the danger of yeast.

Because of this worldwide alert, ANVISA has been following and monitoring all suspected cases since 2017. So far, no case of Candida auris has been confirmed in the country .

Among the main guidelines of the agency, is the frequent cleaning of hospital environments and employees, that is, washing hands, wearing gloves and aprons, changing the bed linen and towels used by patients, for example.

In a recent statement, ANVISA states that it has partnerships with laboratories, in order to identify the yeast as soon as possible. In suspicious cases, establishments have a duty to inform ANVISA immediately.


Even with so many technologies, there are still microorganisms that science doesn’t know about. Therefore, it is necessary to continue studying and researching.

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