Indian Study Warns Drug-Resistant Fungus Is Becoming More Lethal and Spreading Worldwide

New Delhi: A study led by Indian researchers has warned that Candida auris, a highly drug-resistant fungal pathogen, is becoming increasingly deadly and is spreading rapidly across the globe.

Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant fungus known for its unusual ability to survive and persist on human skin, making it particularly difficult to control in healthcare settings. The study, conducted by researchers from the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute at the University of Delhi in collaboration with scientists from the US National Institutes of Health, highlights the growing global threat posed by invasive fungal infections.

According to the findings, invasive fungal infections now affect an estimated 6.5 million people worldwide each year and are becoming more virulent. These infections are often linked to alarmingly high mortality rates, frequently exceeding 50 per cent, even when patients receive antifungal treatment.

The researchers explained that C. auris has evolved sophisticated survival strategies. These include the ability to change its form from yeast to filamentous structures that promote spread, the formation of multicellular aggregates, and shifts in gene expression in response to environmental changes. The study was published in the journal Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews.

The fungus has also demonstrated a remarkable capacity to colonise human skin. Molecular evidence suggests that proteins in its cell wall act like an adhesive, enabling the organism to stick not only to mammalian cells but also to non-living surfaces. This property makes long-term skin colonisation a serious medical concern, as colonised patients can facilitate the spread of C. auris within and between hospitals.

In addition, patients carrying C. auris on their skin are at heightened risk of developing severe systemic infections. While the human immune system attempts to combat the fungus, existing evidence indicates that C. auris can actively evade immune responses, further complicating treatment.

Diagnosis remains another major challenge. Most conventional laboratory tests often misidentify C. auris as other closely related yeasts, leading to delays in accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapy.

Despite these challenges, awareness of the growing burden of C. auris infections is increasing, and research efforts are expanding to meet clinical needs. The researchers stressed the urgent requirement for new antifungal drugs with broad-spectrum activity, improved diagnostic tools, and the development of immune-based and vaccine-supported therapies for high-risk patients.

The study also emphasised the need to strengthen surveillance systems and raise awareness about fungal diseases, particularly in resource-limited countries, to better detect and control the spread of this emerging global health threat.

With inputs from IANS