First report of Candida (Candidozyma) auris infections in a human and a dolphin from the Dominican Republic: A One health perspective

This study documents the first reported cases of <i>Candida</i> (<i>Candidozyma)auris</i> in the Dominican Republic, isolated from both a critically ill human patient and a captive dolphin. Antifungal susceptibility testing from dolphin isolate showed elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of fluconazole but low MICs of other antifungals, including the novel drugs rezafungin, ibrexafungerp and manogepix. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the dolphin isolate allocated it to clade I, but surprisingly did not show any known mutations that confer azole resistance, suggesting a mechanism different from mutations in the genes studied. The concurrent emergence of <i>C. auris</i> in human and animal hosts underscores the importance of a One Health approach, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, and the need for strengthened surveillance and rigorous infection control measures across medical and veterinary settings.