Thursday, 23 March 2023

Fungi Out to Get Us?

The US Centers for Disease and Protection reported a concerning rise, between 2018 and 2021, in Candida auris infections in American healthcare facilities (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/21/candida-auris-symptoms-fungal-infection-skin). Candida auris is a potentially-dangerous fungal infection, producing high fevers and chills in infected patients. A Candida auris infection is, however, only generally confirmed, after patients have been treated with antibiotics. This rules out the possibility of a potential bacterial infection. Worryingly, an increasing number of these Candida auris infections, are proving resistant to treatments with echinocandins. Echinocandins are the drugs used to counter fungal infections. Humans are now threatened by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, antibody-resistant viruses and echinocandin-resistant fungi! That's unfortunately what happens when drug treatments are given. Only resistant organisms are selected to carry on the line.
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