International travel and health care networks lead the epidemics of Candida Auris

In just a decade, the Fungal pathogen resistant to candida -candida drugs (C. Auris) has become one of the most formidable threats to health care establishments in the world. In the United States, this threat is only pronounced only the Metropolitan Region of New York-New Jersey (NY-NJ), which represents almost 20% of cases of the country. A recent study published in Microbiology Spectrum by researchers from the New York Medical College revealed surprising links between the initial propagation of the pathogen, international trips and local health care networks, adding an additional dimension to understand how Medication resistant bugs propagate in the world.

“New York City is a major American hub for international passengers, including those of South Asia, where the Superbug C. Auris is widespread,” explains Vishnu Chaturvedi, Ph.D., professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology. “The American epidemic of C. Auris in 2016 or a few years earlier occurred during the increase in travel and trade with South Asia. Interestingly, the resumption of trips after the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with a new increase in cases. However, local mobility networks in prolonged hospitals and healthcare establishments remain critical factors in the spread of pathogens. »»

C. Auris can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, chills, lethargy and pain.

For the study, the researchers used a Monte Carlo simulation model to assess whether the models of C. Auris were more consistent with the proportion of South Asian travelers, the overall American population, the number of hospitals or the proportion of travelers from travelers any foreign country.

Our results supported our theory that the introduction of C. Auris in the NY-NJ region was not due to random chances but was closely linked to travel networks. »»

Dr Vishnu Chaturvedi, Ph.D., professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology

When you consider the impact on patient care, Dr Chaturvedi highlighted the need for efforts to monitor patients and their environments to be actively and vigorously detect new patients to help Control the propagation of C. Auris. “Specialized laboratory tests are essential for the timely detection of patients with C. Auris,” he notes. “By combining vigilant monitoring with strategies for controlling robust infections, health care establishments can take significant measures to limit the spread of this dangerous pathogen.”