CANDIDOZYMA AURIS – A NEW PATHOGEN AS A CHALLENGE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH CARE

Abstract

Introduction. In modern times, fungal infections are becoming a significant global public health concern. The incidence of invasive fungal diseases has increased significantly among hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the importance of preventing and controlling fungal diseases worldwide. Methodology and methods of the study. The aim of this study is to analyze the available scientific and medical literature on the topic of infections caused by the fungus Candida auris. An information search was conducted on the Internet in the following information databases: "PubMed", "ResearchGate", "Google Scholar", "Medscape", and "MedlinePlus". The search depth spanned 20 years, and the sources of information were categorized after a preliminary assessment, with preference given to publications that potentially had a higher level of evidence. Presentation of the main material of the study. Candidozyma auris is a rapidly growing global threat to human health. The combination of high contamination, environmental persistence, and multidrug resistance contributes to persistent outbreaks, particularly in emergency and long-term care settings. Evidence from the Middle East, the Americas, and Africa suggests continued emergence of infection in regions with historically limited surveillance of the pathogen. Increased detection in wastewater adds a new environmental dimension to outbreak control. Studies of the pathogen’s stress response pathways and biofilm-associated virulence are deepening our understanding of the organism’s ability to adapt to multiple host tissues and environmental conditions. High-risk populations include intensive care unit patients, neonates, and patients undergoing hemodialysis. The increasing resistance of C.auris to amphotericin B and the emergence of persistent echinocandin- resistant strains underscore the urgency of developing new therapeutic agents. Promising agents such as resafungin and halogenated indoles have future clinical potential but require further clinical evaluation and research. Conclusions. C. auris can be considered a rapidly growing global threat to human health. Promising areas of research include expanding genomic studies, standardizing environmental monitoring, clinical trials of new antifungal agents, and improving early diagnosis.