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2 clusters · 6 sources · 12 days · First seen · Last updated

Pan-resistant Candida auris outbreak in Kenya

Overview

Health experts have identified a pan-resistant strain of the fungus Candida auris in Nairobi, Kenya. This case marks the first recorded instance of such a strain in Africa and only the second globally, following a 2022 case in New York.

The infection occurred in a 28-year-old woman who developed a surgical site infection after an elective inpatient procedure. Clinical testing confirmed the strain is resistant to all four major classes of antifungal medications: fluconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, amphotericin B, and flucytosine.

Genome sequencing suggests this strain may have evolved its resistance independently, as its mutations differ from the previously recorded New York case. This indicates the fungus may be capable of repeatedly adapting to medical treatments across different genetic lineages. Research suggests the pathogen may persist on human skin by inducing the release of interferon-gamma, which suppresses the immune system’s interleukin-17 defense. The hospital involved has implemented infection prevention and control measures to mitigate transmission risks.

Entities

Kenya · Candida auris · University of California, San Francisco · World Health Organization · Candidozyma auris

Timeline

  1. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Kenya reports second global case of pan-resistant Candida auris

    A 28-year-old patient in Kenya has been identified with the world's second known pan-resistant Candida auris infection, showing resistance to all four major antifungal drug classes.

  2. [HEALTH] 4 sources
    Candida auris fungus shows pan-resistance in new African case

    A pan-resistant strain of the dangerous fungus Candida auris has been identified in Kenya, marking the first such case in Africa and highlighting the growing global threat of antifungal-resistant pathogens.

Sources

finance.technews.tw · gizmodo.com · politika.rs · sciencealert.com · tech.everyeye.it · trn.mk