Kenya reports second global case of pan-resistant Candida auris

Researchers in Kenya have documented the second known case globally of a “pan-resistant” infection caused by the fungus Candida auris (also known as Candidozyma auris). The patient, a 28-year-old woman, developed a surgical site infection following an elective inpatient procedure.

Clinical testing revealed that the fungal strain was resistant to all four major classes of antifungal medications. While initial treatments focused on bacterial infections via antibiotics, the patient's condition did not improve until the fungus was identified through wound pus analysis.

Genome sequencing suggests this strain may have evolved its resistance independently, as its mutations differ from the first pan-resistant case reported in New York in 2022. This finding indicates the fungus may be capable of repeatedly adapting to existing medical treatments across different genetic lineages. The hospital has implemented specific infection prevention and control measures to mitigate the risk of hospital-acquired transmission.