SEATTLE — Hospitals in New York state discovered a rare and dangerous fungal infection in 2016, marking its first appearance in the United States. Research laboratories later found that the fungus had been present in the country since at least 2013. Over the years, New York City has become the center of Candida auris infections, with the state consistently recording the highest number of cases in the country, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Candida auris poses a global public health threat, causing severe illnesses such as bloodstream, wound, and respiratory infections. Its mortality rate is estimated to be between 30% and 60%, and it particularly affects individuals with pre-existing medical conditions in healthcare settings. While last year saw the highest number of cases in Nevada and California, the fungus has been clinically identified in patients across 29 states, with New York remaining a major hotspot. One theory for the sudden emergence of Candida auris is climate change. As humans and mammals have warmer body temperatures than most fungal pathogens can tolerate, they have historically been protected from infections. However, rising temperatures can enable fungi to develop tolerance to warmer environments, potentially compromising human resistance over time. Some researchers believe this is already happening with Candida auris. The pathogen appeared spontaneously on three different continents 14 years ago, including in Venezuela, India, and South Africa, which have diverse climates. The recent increase in cases has been mainly attributed to local transmission among patients in healthcare settings, as opposed to cases linked to travelers. In the U.S., there were 2,377 confirmed clinical cases of Candida auris last year, representing a significant increase of over 1,200% since 2017. The fungus is also becoming a global issue, with case numbers nearly doubling in Europe from 2020 to 2021. Experts are focusing on strategies to mitigate transmission within healthcare settings and are concerned about the pathogen’s resistance to antifungal treatments and its alarming rate of spread. Candida auris is notoriously difficult to treat and diagnose. It is most commonly found in immunocompromised patients in hospitals, long-term care centers, and nursing homes. Symptoms include sepsis, fever, and low blood pressure, which can be caused by various factors. The fungus is diagnosed through a blood test, but current methods often miss around half of the cases. Increased awareness of fungal infections has been spurred by popular culture, such as the HBO series “The Last of Us,” which explores the aftermath of a fictional fungal outbreak. Addressing climate change is crucial to tackling the evolving landscape of infectious diseases. The selection pressure exerted by global warming on microbes is comparable to the increasing number of hot days experienced, which drive the adaptation and survival of these microorganisms. Fungal infections have gained more attention in recent years due to their growing impact on human health.
Scientists link prevalence of dangerous fungus to climate change
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