The emergence of a novel fungal disease Candida auris/COVID-19 coinfection

Candida auris is a novel fungus that has swiftly become a huge threat to global public health. This condition is difficult to treat because it may develop resistance to antifungal medications and spread quickly among vulnerable populations, such as those in hospitals1. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated things by increasing the risk of infection and emphasising the need for infection prevention and control strategies2. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant role in the surge of C. auris infections. Patients with COVID-19 who are critically ill are more prone to secondary infections, especially fungal infections. The use of mechanical ventilation for an extended period of time, as well as the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, may promote the development of C. auris infections3. COVID-19 patients treated in intensive care units (ICUs) and hospitalised for lengthy periods of time exhibited a substantial prevalence of C. auris colonisation, according to studies. According to an Indian study, 44% of COVID-19 patients admitted to ICUs exhibited C. auris colonisation, which was associated with a higher mortality rate4. In addition, a study done in Spain revealed that C. auris was the most prevalent fungus species detected in COVID-19 patients’ respiratory samples in ICUs5. The coinfection of COVID-19 and C. auris poses a significant challenge to global healthcare systems6. C. auris infections may be difficult to treat and may need lengthy hospital stays, placing further strain on healthcare resources. There is also the prospect of C. auris outbreaks in hospitals, which might be devastating for vulnerable patients. Effective infection prevention and control measures are necessary to avoid the spread of C. auris and COVID-19 infections. These processes include hand hygiene, environmental washing and disinfection, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by healthcare staff. Extended use of PPE, such as face masks, gloves, and gowns, may result in skin damage and C. auris infection. Therefore, it is vital to take precautions to prevent C. auris transmission through PPE7. Those infected with C. auris must also be given appropriate antifungal therapy. The use of appropriate antifungal medications may significantly reduce the risk of mortality associated with C. auris infections. Yet, the shortage of effective antifungal drugs, as well as the growth of treatment resistance, are major concerns. C. auris and COVID-19 are major public health threats that must be addressed as soon as possible. The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated issues, emphasising the need for infection prevention and control approaches. Effective infection prevention and control measures are essential to prevent the spread of these disorders7. Novel antifungal drugs and alternative therapy for C. auris infections are also desperately required. Ethical approval None. Consent All authors read the manuscript and agree to publication. Sources of funding None. Author contribution R.A.: conceptualization, data curation, and writing – original draft preparation, reviewing, and editing; R.D.: data curation, writing – original draft preparation, reviewing, and editing, and data curation; S.A.A.: writing – original draft preparation, reviewing, and editing; T.B.E.: writing – reviewing and editing, visualisation, and supervision. Conflicts of interest disclosure There are no conflicts of interest. Research registration unique identifying number (UIN) None. Guarantor Talha Bin Emran, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong 4381, Bangladesh; Tel.: +88 030 3356193, fax: +88 031 2550224, Cell: +88 01819 942214; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3188-2272; E-mail: [email protected].