Fungus discovered in 2009 turned out to be one of the world's most dangerous superbacteria

Scientists in Singapore have discovered a new member of the fungal family. In a new study published this week, they detail a genetically distinct type of Candida auris in several of their patients - the sixth such type discovered to date.
The findings are published in The Lancet Microbe.

This fungus is one of the most dangerous superbacteria in the world, as it can resist multiple antifungal drugs, and spread rapidly in hospitals and other hotspots.

C. auris was first discovered in 2009. While it usually colonizes healthy people without causing illness in them, it can also cause severe infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems. These infections are often difficult to fight, as the fungus can usually resist several or even all classes of antifungal drugs available to treat it. It is also difficult to completely eradicate once it has taken root in the environment.

Overall, cases of C. auris infection are still rare, but the number of cases in the U.S. and elsewhere has increased significantly in recent years, and the fungus is steadily expanding its reach in many parts of the world.

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