Research Keyword: Candidozyma auris

Changing Climate, Changing Candida: Environmental and Social Pressures on Invasive Candidiasis and Antifungal Resistance in Latin America

Invasive fungal infections caused by Candida yeasts are becoming more serious in Latin America, with drug-resistant strains spreading rapidly in hospitals. The problem is worsened by climate change and overuse of antifungal medicines in agriculture, which help resistant fungi survive and spread. Many hospitals in the region lack modern diagnostic tools to quickly identify the specific type of infection, delaying treatment. The authors recommend a comprehensive approach combining better environmental monitoring, smarter use of antifungal drugs, improved diagnostic access, and coordinated public health efforts across the region.

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Brown locusts, Locustana pardalina, host fluconazole-resistant Candidozyma (Candida) auris, closely related to Clade III clinical strains

Scientists found that brown locusts in South Africa carry a dangerous yeast called Candida auris that is resistant to the antifungal drug fluconazole. This yeast is similar to strains that infect hospital patients and is highly adaptable, surviving extreme temperatures and salt levels found in locust guts. This discovery suggests that insects like locusts could play a role in spreading this emerging fungal pathogen in nature, which has important implications for understanding how dangerous microbes spread between animals and humans.

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First report of infections due to Candidozyma (formerly Candida) auris in Botswana, 2022–2024

Researchers in Botswana discovered the first documented cases of a dangerous fungal infection called Candidozyma auris in their country. This yeast was found in 10 patients at a major hospital, mostly in intensive care units, between 2022 and 2024. The fungus was resistant to common antifungal drugs like fluconazole but could still be treated with other medications. The findings highlight how this emerging pathogen is spreading across Africa and stress the importance of improved laboratory testing and disease monitoring in developing countries.

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Brown locusts, Locustana pardalina, host fluconazole-resistant Candidozyma (Candida) auris, closely related to Clade III clinical strains

Researchers discovered that brown locusts in South Africa can carry a dangerous drug-resistant fungus called Candida auris in their digestive systems. This fungus, which causes serious infections in hospitals and is resistant to the antifungal drug fluconazole, may use locusts as a way to spread to humans or other environments. The study suggests that insects could play an important role in how dangerous fungi emerge and spread globally, particularly in warm climates where locusts thrive.

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Keep the Hospital Clean: Diagnostic Performance of Ten Different Molecular and Culture-Based Methods to Detect Candidozyma (Candida) auris

This study tested different methods to detect a dangerous hospital fungus called Candida auris. Researchers compared growing the fungus on special plates and using molecular tests on patient samples. They found that molecular tests (qPCR) were most sensitive for detecting low levels of the fungus, while growing it on special plates worked well for higher levels. The best approach depends on whether a hospital is dealing with an outbreak or routine screening.

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