Emerging threat of Candida auris: Epidemiology, drug resistance, and public health implications in the United States

Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that is a significant threat in the United States due to its high mortality rates in immunocompromised populations, persistence on surfaces, and frequent misidentifications in clinical laboratories. As clinical cases continue to substantially rise across the United States, public healthcare systems are under increasing pressure to develop effective strategies for detecting, containing, preventing, and mitigating this pathogen. This study aimed to look into real-world current challenges and experiences that healthcare professionals are dealing with in the process of identifying, managing, and responding to C. auris cases. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to healthcare professionals, ranging from epidemiologists, microbiologists, infection prevention, and laboratory supervisors, across the United States, to collect both quantitative and qualitative data in hopes of better understanding current diagnostic capabilities, infection control protocols and practices, barriers, and professional recommendations on how best to mitigate the spread. Thematic coding of open-ended responses revealed recurring concerns centered around staffing shortages, gaps in education and training, limited diagnostic capabilities, and ineffective screening procedures and allocation of resources. Many professionals cite overuse of antifungals as a contributing factor to the resistance of C. auris. Quantitative results back these findings up by showcasing variation in knowledge levels and access to proper diagnostic methods. Findings from this study highlight the importance of improving education and training, expanding access to rapid and accurate diagnostic methods, and developing clear and standardized protocols for screening and containing C. auris. Recommendations from healthcare professionals with direct experience support this need for protocol reform, increased funding, reallocation of resources, and improved screening protocols to properly address the threat of C. auris in the United States. This research provides insight into how C. auris is currently impacting healthcare facilities, as well as how its being managed, and offers practical suggestions for mitigating the spread effectively. As the pathogen continues to evolve, understanding the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and facilities is crucial to strengthening proper responses and ensuring effective public health interventions.