Increasing Prevalence of Dangerous Fungus Linked to Climate Change

A dangerous fungus, Candida auris, has been on the rise, with New York City at the forefront of infections in the United States. The fungus, which poses a serious public health threat, can lead to severe illnesses, including bloodstream, wound, and respiratory infections, with a mortality rate estimated between 30% to 60%. Experts have been puzzled by the sudden emergence of Candida auris, a pathogen that was never found in humans until 2009 and appeared simultaneously in three different continents—Venezuela, India, and South Africa.

One prominent theory gaining acceptance among scientists for the fungus’s spread is climate change. As the global temperature rises, fungi may adapt to warmer environments, potentially breaking the protective barrier that mammalian bodies’ higher temperatures have historically provided against fungal infections. Rising temperatures could lead to increased tolerance of fungi to human body temperatures, making humans more susceptible to infections like Candida auris.

The cases of Candida auris have skyrocketed in the United States, with a 1,200% increase in confirmed clinical cases since 2017. This alarming trend has been mirrored in Europe, where case numbers nearly doubled from 2020 to 2021. The fungus has become particularly concerning due to its resistance to traditional antifungal treatments, including the most common class of antifungal medication.

Experts warn that immunocompromised patients in healthcare settings are most vulnerable to Candida auris infections. The fungus is challenging to diagnose, and its symptoms, such as sepsis, fever, and low blood pressure, can be confused with other conditions, leading to delays in treatment. Moreover, the fungus has proven difficult to treat, with some strains showing resistance to available medications, leaving clinicians with limited options for effective treatment.

Climate change is being discussed as a leading factor in the emergence of Candida auris. The increased frequency of hot days due to global warming provides selection pressure for microbes, enabling them to adapt and survive, potentially leading to the spread of new infectious diseases. Scientists emphasize the importance of addressing climate change to prevent further challenges to public health from emerging infectious diseases like Candida auris.

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More about Keyword: Candida auris

• “Rare Fungus Candida Auris Is Spreading” – The New York Times
  (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/06/health/drug-resistant-candida-auris.html)

• “Emergence of Candida auris: An International Review” – Journal of Fungi (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6164981/)

• “Climate Change and Emerging Fungal Infections” – Grist
  (https://grist.org/article/climate-change-fungal-infections-candida-auris/)

• “Candida auris: A Review of the Literature” – Clinical Microbiology Reviews
  (https://cmr.asm.org/content/32/4/e00113-18)

• “Candida auris: The Growing Threat and Importance of Prevention” – Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
  (https://journals.lww.com/co-infectiousdiseases/Abstract/2021/10000/Candida_auris__the_growing_threat_and_importance.15.aspx)