Candida auris
The novel, resistant yeast, and why chlorine dioxide is effective against it.
Health authorities worldwide are watching the rapid spread of Candida auris, a yeast first identified in 2009, with growing concern. This novel pathogen shows considerable resistance to some antifungals, that is, medicines used to fight fungal infections, and to certain disinfectants. Chlorine dioxide, however, is effective against Candida auris.
Candida auris in numbers
A young pathogen alarming health authorities worldwide: the key figures at a glance.
A comparatively young pathogen that has since spread to more and more countries and regions.
for invasive candidiasis, which can spread to the blood, heart, nervous system, eyes, bones and internal organs.
A doubling to 1,471 cases compared with the previous year. The US agency CDC has recorded a marked increase since 2013.
What is Candida auris, and who is at risk from it?
The latest data from the US underline the cause for concern: infection numbers are rising rapidly there, and the fungus is spreading to more and more states.
Although Candida auris usually does not harm healthy people, it is important to keep the pathogen out of hospitals and care facilities, especially intensive care units. In people with pre-existing conditions or weakened immune systems, the fungus can become dangerous if it enters the body via catheters or ventilator tubing. The pathogen is not transmitted through the air, unlike, for example, the coronavirus, but through smear infection.
That is precisely why consistent disinfection of surfaces, medical equipment and water-carrying systems plays a central role in containing the spread of the pathogen.
Warning from the WHO and CDC
The World Health Organization (WHO) drew attention to the worldwide spread and danger of Candida auris at the end of last year. The fungus can cause invasive candidiasis, which spreads to the blood, heart, central nervous system, eyes, bones and internal organs. The mortality rate of this disease is between 29 and 53 %.
Given this serious situation, the US health authority CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) classified the fungus as an "urgent threat" as early as 2019 and introduced a duty to report cases. A recent CDC study shows a marked increase in cases since 2013. In 2021 alone, the number of cases rose by 95 % compared with the previous year, corresponding to a doubling to 1,471 cases.
In Germany, the spread of the fungus is still limited, with around 40 clinical cases since 2015, but an increase is being recorded here too. According to Kurzai, Germany sees 10 to 15 cases a year, with no deaths so far. He stresses, however, that an increase can be observed not only in Europe but also in other parts of the world, such as South Africa, India, Brazil and the Arabian Peninsula.
Chlorine dioxide is effective against Candida auris
The RKI (Robert Koch Institute) has described in a study that chlorine dioxide is effective against Candida auris. The active substance, which is also used in waterworks for drinking water disinfection, proves itself where conventional agents and some antifungals reach the limits of resistance.
You can find the study here.
All statements on efficacy are based on biostream® GmbH's many years of experience as well as on information from specialist literature, legislation, technical rules and positive customer references.