CDC: Drug-resistant fungus rates increase

Candida auris fungal infections tripled in the U.S. between 2019 and 2021 to 1,471, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine, CDC said clinical cases have increased each year since 2016, with the most rapid increase occurring during 2020-2021. During 2019-2021, 17 states identified their first C. auris case ever. While not a threat to healthy people, C. auris infections “tend to occur in patients who have multiple or prolonged health care encounters or indwelling devices, including those receiving mechanical ventilation,” the authors note. The fungus’ rapid rise and geographic spread underscores the need for continued surveillance, expanded lab capacity, quicker diagnostic tests and adherence to proven infection prevention and control, according to the CDC. (CDC news release, 3/20/23)