Is Candida auris during blood cancer treatment serious?

Question

Hello doctor,

My uncle is suffering from blood cancer and is on chemotherapy. He returned from the hospital a few days back and is feeling very unwell since then. At first, we thought it might be a side effect of the chemotherapy, but now the doctors suspect it could be Candida auris.

Can you please explain what Candida auris is?
How serious is it?
How is it usually treated?

Help please.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I’ve read your question and understand your concern.

Candida auris is a fungal infection that can be asymptomatic or symptomatic with symptoms of fever, chills, rashes, and joint pains.

Once it enters the bloodstream, it causes bloodstream infection, wound infection and ear infection. Watch out for these symptoms, so that prompt medical attention can be sought if required. It is mostly high risk for patients who are immunocompromised, are in a hospital stay, or have a medical device. As your uncle has cancer and is on chemotherapy, he is more prone to this infection, and close monitoring by his treating team is therefore very important.

It is treated with antifungal medications like Echinocandins. But the problem is that when it is resistant to echinocandin, treatment becomes difficult. However, multiple antifungal combination therapies are then applied by the specialists to manage the situation effectively.

Candida infections are a serious concern for cancer patients, particularly those with weakened immune systems. C. auris is a drug-resistant fungal infection that can cause serious infections with a high mortality rate. Mortality rates for C. auris bloodstream infections can be as high as 40 to 60 %, which is why early detection and treatment are extremely critical.

Feel free to ask further questions.

Thank you.