BERLIN, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The number of cases of the pathogenic fungus candida auris in Germany has risen significantly, according to a study released by the National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infections (NRZMyk) on Thursday.

Between 2022 and 2023, the number of registered cases of candida auris jumped from 12 to 77, revealed the study, which was published in the journal Epidemiologisches Bulletin of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases.

"The enormous increase surprised us," said Alexander M. Aldejohann from the Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology at the University of Wuerzburg (JMU).

It is important to detect and combat outbreaks in hospitals at an early stage because they are "very difficult to get under control later on," he said.

Since the yeast candida auris was first described in Japan in 2009, a continuous increase in cases has been observed worldwide, according to the study. The fungus is now widespread worldwide and is endemic in some regions such as India and South Africa, as well as in parts of Spain and Italy.

For healthy people, an infection with the candida auris fungus is usually harmless. However, for people with a weakened immune system, or patients in intensive care units, the risk is greater. If candida auris enters their bloodstream, there is a risk of blood poisoning.

The fungus poses a particular threat to hospitals, care facilities and retirement homes. Treatment "is made considerably more difficult by the pathogen's potential to develop resistance to all available classes of antimycotics," the study said.

"We have to assume that candida auris cases in Germany -- as in other countries -- will continue to increase," warned Oliver Kurzai, head of NRZMyk.

The statutory reporting obligation introduced in 2023 only covers a small share of cases as it only applies to certain infections. The authors of the study have therefore suggested a general reporting obligation for all candida auris cases in order to effectively counter further spread at an early stage. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)