Regional spread of Candida auris

Abstract

The geographical routes and time schedule of spread of C. auris – the fungus first identified in 2009 are discussed. Data on the increasing frequency of C. auris infections and rapid dissemination of the fungus from the regions of origin – southern Asia, eastern Asia, southern Africa and southern America – towards different regions of all continents except Antarctica, especially after 2016, are presented. Three different clades are encountered in Great Britain, all four clades – in the USA. South Asian clade is currently present in Russia: the introduction was associated with labor migration from Middle Asia. The necessity of C. auris surveillance, essential for the establishment of sources and routes of transmission and dissemination of different clades is emphasized. A window of possibilities is still present to prevent further spread of the fungus with the ability to cause outbreaks of hospital infections including intensive care departments. Rapid implementation of preventive measures during the pandemic of COVID-19 are needed taking into account introduction of fungus in new countries and clinics, as well as increased frequency of C. auris infections in some hospitals for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus.