Candida auris as an emerging threat in intensive care units: A single-center retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES

Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen associated with health care-associated outbreaks, particularly, in intensive care units, and is increasingly recognized as a cause of invasive bloodstream infections worldwide.

METHODS

This retrospective single-center study analyzed C. auris isolates obtained from blood cultures of 31 patients admitted to the mixed intensive care units of a tertiary multidisciplinary training and research hospital between December 2021 and December 2024. Demographic characteristics, underlying comorbidities, antifungal susceptibility profiles, treatment strategies, and in-hospital outcomes were systematically evaluated using hospital information system records.

RESULTS

The median age was 61 years (range, 21-87), and 55% were male. Fluconazole resistance was detected in 60% (18 of 30) of isolates. Automated susceptibility testing indicated elevated amphotericin B minimum inhibitory concentration values in all isolates; however, the reliability of automated methods for amphotericin B testing in C. auris remains controversial. All isolates remained susceptible to caspofungin and micafungin, and voriconazole susceptibility was inferred based on fluconazole minimum inhibitory concentration values. Echinocandins were used as first-line therapy. In eight (25.8%) patients, C. auris was identified in blood cultures after patient death.

CONCLUSIONS

After the identification of C. auris, this institution implemented enhanced infection control measures, including contact isolation, environmental decontamination, and reinforcement of antifungal stewardship. Despite these interventions, delayed detection and limited access to reference susceptibility testing remained major challenges. These findings highlight the need for strengthened active surveillance, rapid diagnostic capacity, and standardized susceptibility testing to reduce nosocomial transmission and improve clinical outcomes in high-risk intensive care settings.