Netherlands Introduces Unique Screening System for Candida Auris Fungal Infections

Feb 20, 2024 at 8:24 PM Update: 6 hours ago

The Netherlands will have a globally unique screening system for fungal infections. There is mainly fear of an outbreak of the so-called Candida auris. The system allows for a quick response if mold spreads.

The screening system is the result of a collaboration between the Radboud university medical center and the RIVM. “With this system we will soon be prepared for an increase in dangerous fungi and we can respond quickly in the event of spread and outbreaks,” project leader Eelco Meijer writes in a message on the website. website from the Radboud university medical center.

The screening should make it clear at an early stage which yeasts are circulating. “For this purpose, sewage water and existing infections are examined. That is important, because infections with yeasts such as Candida auris are on the rise,” says Meijer.

There is a sharp increase in the number of infections worldwide. The fungus is also commonly seen in Europe, especially in Italy, Spain and Greece. A few cases have been registered in the Netherlands. “Thanks to the good infection measures, serious fungal infections are still rare in our country. This concerns dozens of infections per year,” says Meijer. It is not clear exactly how many there are, because we do not yet have a good screening system.

Candida auris is often resistant to antifungal medications. This makes the infection difficult to treat. That is why the World Health Organization WHO is calling for action. With the new surveillance system, the Netherlands will become the first country in the world that can screen for fungi.

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What is Candida auris?

Candida auris is a type of fungus that generally does not make people with a good immune system ill. But vulnerable people, who have just undergone an organ transplant, for example, can become seriously ill. The fungus can cause an ear infection or fever, but can also enter the bloodstream or destroy organs. In those cases, an infection is often fatal.

The fungus mainly spreads in hospitals and nursing homes. This can be done through contamination of hands or medical instruments. Unlike most types of fungi, Candida auris can survive outside the body.

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2024-02-20 19:24:06
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