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Fungus labeled ‘urgent threat’ by CDC is spreading rapidly, hospital study finds
KTLA ^ | 03/22/2025 | Alix Martichoux

Posted on 03/22/2025 1:36:52 PM PDT by BenLurkin

Candida auris, also called C. auris, was first identified in the U.S. in 2016. Since then, the number of cases have increased every year, jumping substantially in 2023 (the last year of data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Recently, cases have proliferated in Georgia, the state’s health department told local news outlet WJCL. A study published this week, which focused on the Jackson Health System in Miami also found cases of the fungus have “rapidly increased.”

...

People with a healthy immune system may be able to fight off infection on their own, but Candida auris mainly spreads in health care settings, where people are sick and vulnerable. People with catheters, breathing tubes, feeding tubes and PICC lines are at the highest risk because the pathogen can enter the body through these types of devices.

When the fungus infects a patient, it can be hard to identify what’s going on. Symptoms are like those of any infection, including fever and chills.

Another reason Candida auris is so concerning is because of how well it has adapted to surviving on surfaces, like countertops, bedrails and doorknobs.

(Excerpt) Read more at ktla.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: candida; candidaauris; cauris; fungus
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To: albie
So that’s why I’m seeing more masks on boneheads than usual

No, that's just the typical 'true pandemic' effect.

21 posted on 03/22/2025 2:34:34 PM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
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To: doc maverick
“Candida auris mainly spreads in health care settings, where people are sick and vulnerable. People with catheters, breathing tubes, feeding tubes and PICC lines are at the highest risk because the pathogen can enter the body through these types of devices.” It’s spreading in hospital systems need to do a better job with sterilization of catheters, scopes, etc. it’s mainly a nosocomial infection.

That is correct, but it's old news (hint: 'study finds')

22 posted on 03/22/2025 2:36:51 PM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
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To: BenLurkin

Per Google AI:

Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, is associated with high mortality rates, estimated to be around 30-60% in infected individuals.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Mortality Rates:
Studies suggest a crude mortality rate of 30% to 60% for individuals with C. auris infections.

Some studies indicate that mortality rates can be even higher, with some reports suggesting rates as high as 72%.

A study of 192 C. auris hospitalizations in the United States between 2017 and 2022 found an estimated crude mortality rate of 34%.

Within that study, the mortality rate was 47% for bloodstream infections (BSI) and 31% for non-BSI infections.

Factors Contributing to High Mortality:

Multidrug Resistance: C. auris is known for its resistance to multiple antifungal medications, making treatment challenging.

Underlying Health Conditions: Many individuals infected with C. auris already have serious underlying health conditions, increasing their risk of mortality.

Invasive Infections: C. auris can cause invasive infections, such as bloodstream infections (candidemia), which are associated with higher mortality rates.

Emergence and Spread:
C. auris is an emerging pathogen that has rapidly spread globally.
It is considered a serious threat to public health, particularly in healthcare settings.
It was first identified in 2009 and has since been isolated in over 50 countries across six continents.

Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment:
C. auris can be misidentified as other Candida species, making diagnosis and treatment more difficult.

The rising prevalence of infection and colonization with non-albicans Candida species is thought to be due to the excessive use of prophylactic antifungals such as fluconazole.

Prevention and Control:
Strict infection control measures in healthcare facilities are crucial to prevent the spread of C. auris.

Hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand sanitizers or soap and water is important.

Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is a commonly used antiseptic that can be used in decolonization of patients and added to hand soaps in healthcare settings.

In the United States, C. auris is a nationally notifiable pathogen, allowing for public health tracking and containing its spread.


23 posted on 03/22/2025 2:41:07 PM PDT by tired&retired (Blessings )
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To: BenLurkin; Fungi

You again? You pop up everywhere.


24 posted on 03/22/2025 2:42:21 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (PDJT doesn’t just walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. He swaggers.)
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To: doc maverick
It’s spreading in hospital systems need to do a better job with sterilization of catheters, scopes, etc.

I doubt that's the problem. The spores could be airborne, in ductwork, on clothing, on any touch surface, and then be transferred to those instruments during insertion. Hence, care with procedure would be my first priority. IOW this could be very difficult to manage.

25 posted on 03/22/2025 2:56:04 PM PDT by Carry_Okie (The tree of liberty needs a rope.)
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To: Mastador1

I hope your not in states like CA, FL, or NY.


26 posted on 03/22/2025 2:57:18 PM PDT by Retain Mike ( Sat Cong)
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To: rktman

Its yeast. Antifungals. And supplement immune boosters. And cutting refined sugars/carbs.


27 posted on 03/22/2025 2:58:22 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Secret Agent Man

Otherwise it is certain to transmogrify into The Blob!


28 posted on 03/22/2025 2:59:37 PM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: BenLurkin

It can be contracted by close contact with so infected or colonized individuals....no mention if it can be sexually transmitted, or oral/fecal route...sounds like it could be....they should monitor for outbreaks in populations which have high physical contacts....message therapists, Roman Greco wrestlers, prostitutes, sexually promiscuous individuals, etc.

Gotta’ nip it in the bud, Andy.......


29 posted on 03/22/2025 2:59:38 PM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find. )
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To: BenLurkin; albie; pburiak; doc maverick; MeanWestTexan; Mark17; logi_cal869
“People with a healthy immune system may be able to fight off infection on their own, but Candida auris mainly spreads in health care settings, where people are sick and vulnerable. People with catheters, breathing tubes, feeding tubes and PICC lines are at the highest risk because the pathogen can enter the body through these types of devices.”

“In the past, the CDC estimated that ‘based on information from a limited number of patients, 30–60% of people with C. auris infections have died. However, many of these people had other serious illnesses that also increased their risk of death.’”

I think these two quotes are instructive, because of the link below. Coronavirus deaths were easily overstated by focusing on what happened in the last few minutes or days, rather than the last couple months or years that made the death inevitable and just needed a minor illness to help it along.

Instructions for Completing the Cause-of-Death Section of the Death Certificate

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/blue_form.pdf

30 posted on 03/22/2025 3:03:31 PM PDT by Retain Mike ( Sat Cong)
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To: Carry_Okie

Trust me. It’s the main problem.


31 posted on 03/22/2025 3:04:31 PM PDT by doc maverick
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To: doc maverick
Trust me. It’s the main problem.

I've been in the medical device business involved in sterile procedure development. My wife works as an advanced practice nurse in a NICU, so I get to hear about such problems and the findings upon investigation. Material handling and procedure is an underappreciated problem.

32 posted on 03/22/2025 3:18:07 PM PDT by Carry_Okie (The tree of liberty needs a rope.)
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To: pburiak

Season 2 is starting in Apr


33 posted on 03/22/2025 3:30:08 PM PDT by Karoo
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To: BenLurkin

There’s a FUNGUS AMUNGUS!


34 posted on 03/22/2025 3:32:47 PM PDT by faucetman (Just the facts, ma'am, Just the facts )
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To: Retain Mike

Spot-on.


35 posted on 03/22/2025 3:38:51 PM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
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To: BenLurkin

MAKE your healthcare worker WASH THEIR EFFING HANDS!!!!

Simple. Where is my NIH grant?


36 posted on 03/22/2025 3:57:49 PM PDT by clee1 (We use 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 2 to pull a trigger. I'm lazy and don't wish to smile.)
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To: BenLurkin

Never marry a girl named after a fungus- Johnny Carson


37 posted on 03/22/2025 4:30:44 PM PDT by bunkerhill7 (Don't shoot until you see the whites of their lies)
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To: logi_cal869

Thank you.


38 posted on 03/22/2025 4:35:47 PM PDT by Retain Mike ( Sat Cong)
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To: Carry_Okie

“Nearly half of all cases of nosocomial infections are associated with medical devices (Kojic and Darouiche 2004). Medical device associated infection is the greatest threat against safety in the ICUs. Management of medical device associated infection is difficult and costly affair (Kojic and Darouiche 2004). Candida spp. can form biofilm on most, if not all, medical devices. It can form biofilm on stents, shunts, implants, endotracheal tubes, pacemakers and various types of catheters (Deorukhkar and Saini 2013). Biofilm forming ability is strongly associated with the ability to cause infection and is considered as important virulence determinant during candidiasis (Deorukhkar and Saini 2013“


39 posted on 03/22/2025 4:36:12 PM PDT by doc maverick
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To: BenLurkin

My brother just had an aortic valve transplant. Went in on Tuesday morning. Released on Wednesday before noon. First thing he did was to take a firmans shower to get any germs off him.


40 posted on 03/22/2025 4:42:18 PM PDT by mware
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